SHANNON, the defending champions in the insurance Corporation All Ireland League, opened the defence of the title they have won for the last two seasons in the most formidable of territory, Tom Clifford Park last Saturday. Opposed by Young Munster, one of only two clubs to defeat Shannon in the 20 league matches they have played in a two year campaign of unprecedented triumph, Shannon met the challenge to record a worthy victory.

It was a match remarkable in its pattern, and surely no five minute period in the history of this splendid competition has proved more productive than the phase between the 35th and 40th minutes when the champions hit Young Monster with a devastating blitz that yielded the harvest of 19 points.

Thus the first victory for the champions on the long hard road that lies ahead, and the initial hurdle surmounted in their quest to make it three titles in a row. A win by eight points was, in the circumstances, a satisfactory beginning, as Shannon faced a test of temperament, no less than skill, at a venue where they have gained little reward in the league in recent seasons.

This match provided a ready answer to those who believed that the AIL is an ailing competition. It was a contest in the best traditions of the competition watched by a crowd of 4,500. There was the usual intensity and passion on the field and the unbridled enthusiasm on the terraces.

The spectators witnessed a contest of substance. The first half in particular provided some exhilarating rugby and that dramatic conclusion that swung the balance very much in the champion's favour.

"We could not really have had a tougher opening match and I am delighted that we have won it," said Shannon coach Niall O'Donovan. "Playing Young Munster on their own ground is never a venture into the unknown. You know what to expect, you are well aware just hard it will be.

"There was a certain amount of anxiety and rustiness in our play, especially for much of the first half. This was our first match as a team because of all the representative commitments. That was a worrying factor before the game. There is no doubt at all that we won it in the five minutes before half time, with that 19 points burst. That was our purple patch.

"Prior to that Young Munster had the better of things. We are very relieved to be coming away with the points. It is a great start for us. We played well in patches, but the team will play much better over a sustained period than we did out there. I have no doubt either that Young Munster will present a threat in the league and will beat more sides than beat them," O'Donovan said.

Young Monster coach Dan Mooney did not substantially disagree with those views, but he was not happy about the prelude to Shannon's second try in the 38th minute, which he felt should have been a penalty to Young Monster. Declan Edwards was tackled while off the ground.

"But these things happen," he said. "Coming up to half time I felt comfortable enough as we led by nine points. I thought we would go in at the interval with that advantage. We had been the better team.

"Then they got a try and we seemed to fall asleep as they hit us with two more in a the space of two minutes. You cannot give Shannon that kind of latitude. We turned to face the wind 19-9 down instead of being nine points up.

"But we battled very hard in the second hall, although Shannon defended their lead well. I honestly believe we will still be contenders and saw enough out there to strengthen that view."

The opening was hectic and Young Munster had the better of it. Their forwards won more and better possession. Nor was there a reluctance to explore the possibilities in the running game. It took a great tackle by Pat Murray on Niall McNamara to save the Shannon line, and it was fitting that Murray was the saviour for he yet again gave a great display for Shannon. He was, too, almost in for a try at the end of a great movement.

But it was a penalty from Mick Lynch after two minutes, and two more from Aidan O'Halloran in the fifth and 26th minutes, that separated the sides. Young Monster's lineout was more productive and the tackling by both sides was uncompromising.

Then the match took a dramatic turn. Shannon attacked down the right and Eddie Halvey, the first man to be the subject of a transfer fee in this new era, paid off a slice of the money when he was in a passing movement and kicked through to the Young Munster line. One person covering was unable to cope with the three Shannon men in immediate proximity, and Jim Galvin scored a try in the right corner.

That was not converted, but three minutes later Mick Galwey got a second following some great support play. Andrew Thompson converted and suddenly Shannon led 12-9.

Young Monster, in a state of shock, were hit again within two minutes. This time Billy O'Shea and Murray did the running and produced the creativity that opened the way for Halvey to score. Thompson converted and it was 19-9 to Shannon at the break.

"We had to pick ourselves up after that and we did," said Mooney. Certainly Young Monster looked in for a severe defeat especially when Thompson kicked a penalty for Shannon just after the interval to stretch their lead to 22-9.

Young Munster raised their hopes when Denis O'Meara got a try after a strong attack and two tapped penalties in the 49th minute to reduce the arrears to 22-14.

The endeavour continued to be relentless, but Shannon preserved their lead. They were quick to regroup when danger threatened and were a little quicker to the loose ball.

Young Munster scorned a few penalty chances in pursuit of the try, but Shannon held firm to win the first of what will be several Limerick derbies over the months ahead. It was a very good match that provided a worthy opening to the league campaign.

. Connacht started their youth interprovincial campaign on a winning note when they defeated Ulster 23-13 at the Galway Sportsground on Saturday where a try by fullback Padraig McGowan was the highlight.

The sides were level 88 at halftime. Connacht's scorers in the first half were Fergus Farrell (try) and Brian Glynn (penalty), while Ulster's scores came through a Simon Cahill (try) and a penalty from Diarmuid O'Kane.

But Connacht were on top in the second half and a penalty and conversion from Brian Glynn and a try each from David Gibson and McGowan sealed their win. McGowan intercepted an intended pass by out half Neil Reynolds and ran the length of the field in scoring his superb try.

Ulster scored only once after half time when Nigel Hall went over for a try.