Top four open gap on chasing pack

All-Ireland League: A gap has finally opened at the top of the AIB League with Shannon and Clontarf joined by Belfast Harlequins and Garryowen in the play-off spots as victories over the weekend ensured a five-point margin back to fifth placed UCD.

Mick Galwey's Shannon lost their outright lead at the top after failing to match their Dublin rivals in getting a bonus point although they had little trouble disposing of Dublin University at Thomond Park.

Clontarf crossed the Buccaneers try-line four times at Castle Avenue in their 30-10 win. Although sixth, Buccaneers' current form looks set to see them continue to slide.

Elsewhere, Ballymena gave their fellow Ulster club Belfast Harlequins a timely boost by beating UCD on their own patch with a try from provincial winger Andy Maxwell and a 12-point haul from former student Paddy Wallace being the difference in Belfield.

The play-offs seem too much to ask of Ballymena but UCD at least get to face three of the big four in their run-in, starting with Clontarf on February 19th.

Garryowen rode their luck to beat Lansdowne, who got off the bottom by virtue of a bonus point.

Harlequins trounced Galwegians 68-10 in Belfast, running in 10 tries in total - three of which came from WP Strauss, who also added nine conversions to finish with 33 points.

Of the chasing pack only Dungannon or Cork Constitution look capable of making the top four. Like UCD, Jeremy Davidson's team have a chance to eat into the lead of those above them starting with Garryowen next Saturday. Andrew Hughes and Paul Magee crossed for tries in the weekend's 17-10 victory over Blackrock that put to bed the demons of defeat to Co Carlow last week.

Cork Con were impressive in demolishing Carlow, 54-22, at Temple Hill with seven tries, three from Cronan Healy, although they may not have the luxury of five interprovincials for the rest of the season. Along with the returning John Kelly at centre, David Pusey, Jim Williams, Tom Bowman and Connacht's Brendan O'Connor made up a heavyweight pack. If they can keep that lot, the 11-point gap to the play-offs is just about bridgeable as, again they get to play Garryowen, Shannon and Harlequins in the coming weeks.

Not as simple as it initially appears.