Big three prove their mettle

All-Ireland League: The AIB All-Ireland League has become almost Premiership-like in its predictability. Three weeks in, Mick Galwey's Shannon are top of the pile with two other powerhouses of club rugby, Cork Constitution and Garryowen, following in the slipstream.

One hopes it hasn't taken three weeks to sort out a league that needs all the promotion it can get. Already, a chasing pack of seven clubs seem to be eyeing up the fourth play-off spot.

That battle and the sprinkling of fringe provincial players should sustain interest levels.

The top three are hardly light years ahead of the rest either as the Limerick contingent struggled past opposition from the foot of the table on Saturday, albeit in dreadful conditions across the country.

Shannon condemned Trinity to a third consecutive defeat at College Park, while Garryowen needed veteran outhalf Paul Burke to bail them out away to Galwegians.

Cork Constitution seem the most likely to deny Shannon another three-in-a-row. They came from behind at Eaton Park to beat Ballymena 22-12, scoring three tries in the process, the Ulster men's only replies four penalties from Dirkie Strydom.

Ballymena have now lost twice at home and once away, making victory essential in next weekend's trip to Clontarf. Otherwise, they will be contemplating the unfamiliar prospect of relegation.

This sounds ridiculous considering the quality of backs Steph Nel has at his disposal but they are bottom of the league this morning.

There is brighter news for their old rivals Dungannon, who produced the result of the weekend in beating Clontarf 6-3 at Stevenson Park thanks to an inspirational kicking display from Garth Steenson.

The league's two dark horses, UL-Bohemians and Blackrock, shared the spoils (20-20) in Limerick, the visiting backs producing a quality try for the third week running. Carl Gilligan finishing off the move this time.

Although both teams could have won it late on, neither will be complaining after impressive starts to the campaign.

Elsewhere, St Mary's got their first win of the season, against Carlow, with two tries from Jonathan Sexton. The weather suited Buccaneers perfectly as they kept Lansdowne scoreless, 17-0, while Belfast Harlequins beat UCD. The accuracy of former Ireland under-21 outhalf Michael Glancy proving the difference for the second week running.