Shannon keep close order with leaders

Shannon ensured they remain the only team in touch with Cork Constitution going into the Christmas break after outclassing Dolphin at Thomond Park yesterday, winning 51-7 in a seven-try rout.

John Lacey ran in a first-half hat-trick, while Tom Cregan, Gareth Noonan, Tom Hayes and Brian Tuohy all crossed the beleaguered Cork side's line after the interval. Cregan converted five of the tries and added two penalties.

Cregan wasn't the only player in the All-Ireland League to produce a fine kicking display over the weekend. On Saturday, Conor Kilroy was just seconds away from leading Blackrock to a memorable win against Cork Con in Temple Hill. But though Kilroy landed six penalties and converted a breakaway try by Andrew O'Neill, an injury-time try from Andrew Burke maintained the leaders' jinx over Rock.

Further bad news for the rest of the league was that Con also ran in four tries, thus picking up a bonus point in the narrow win.

Elsewhere, Buccaneers remain third after their narrow victory over Co Carlow. After an exciting start to the season, Carlow have lost three on the spin so at least they will be pleased to hear this week that Felipe Contepomi can play for them after Christmas.

Although Contepomi missed the registration deadline, the IRFU committee made the decision last Thursday after Leinster coach Gary Ella made the case that he needs to be match-fit for the Celtic League and, if all goes well, the knockout stages of the European Cup.

Carlow coach Dan Van Zyl was upset after last Saturday's 20-14 defeat as he felt Billy Murphy's disallowed try, just before half-time, was perfectly legal.

Another side to have lost their way in recent weeks are UCD. The Students looked to have done enough to get out of Belfast unscathed but a late individual try from Reece Spee condemned them to their third defeat of the campaign.

The only ray of sunshine for Leinster clubs over the weekend came up north as St Mary's produced the shock of the weekend with their first win of the season, at Ballymena. It's the second time the champions have been scalped in Eaton Park this season, losing to Blackrock in November. In appalling weather, three penalties from Mary's full back Cathal Connolly proved enough to see them come out on a 9-6 scoreline.