Clontarf suffered a disappointing defeat against Shannon after putting up a resilient performance at Thomond Park on Saturday. Coach Alex Wyllie said afterwards: "We now have to pick ourselves up for the play-off which will decide whether or not we are a first division side next season."
An impressive opening 40 minutes by John Hayes was a major positive point for Shannon, and Munster, as tries by Niall McNamara, Cormac O'Loughlin and Jason Hayes, all converted by Conor Burke, put Shannon ahead after 24 minutes.
Clontarf came back well through Ollie Winchester's 35th-minute try which Richie Murphy converted. Ronan O'Reilly and Craig Bewley ran in tries on the resumption, one of which Murphy converted. When Murphy added the points to a second try by O'Reilly, Clontarf were 26-24 ahead. Shannon responded with two penalties and a drop goal by Burke before Clontarf equalised with a try by Dave O'Brien which Pat Noble converted. Clontarf were caught again in the second minute of stoppage time when John Lynch went over for a try which Burke converted.
Scoring sequence: - 4 mins: N McNamara try, C Burke Con, 7-0; 11 mins: C O'Loughlin try, Burke con, 14.0; 16 mins: Jason Hayes try, Burke con, 21-0; 23 mins: Burke pen, 24-0; 35 mins: O Winchester try, R Murphy con, 24-7; 44 mins: R O'Reilly try, 24-12; 48 mins: C Bewley try, Murphy con, 24-19; 51 mins: O'Reilly try, Murphy con, 24-26; 54 mins: Burke pen 27-26; 59 mins: Burke drop goal, 30-26; 68 min: Burke pen, 33-26; 79 mins: D O'Brien try, P Noble con, 33-33; 82 mins: J Lynch try, Burke con, 40-33.
Shannon: Jason Hayes; N McNamara, J Davis, A McGrath, M Lawlor; C Burke, C O'Loughlin; N Healy, M McDermott, John Hayes; T Hayes, K Keane; R Collins, D Quinlan, J Hadnett. Replacements: J Lynch for Davis; F Roche for Healy; J Hickey for John Hayes.
Clontarf: O Winchester; C Bewley, D O'Brien, D McElligott, A Reddan; R Murphy, R O'Reilly; W O'Kelly, B Jackman, A Clarke; D Moore, C Power; P Ward, D Walsh, C Brownlie. Replacements: P Noble for Murphy.
Referee: B Smith (Munster).
