Shannon go top with win over Buccs
Shannon 9 Buccaneers 3
Shannon left wing Tom Cregan guaranteed his side a home semi-final in the Division One play-offs, as he kicked two penalties and a drop goal in their 9-3 win over Buccaneers at Thomond Park.
Division One has a new leader for the first time in four months, after Cregan inspired his side to their 11th win of the season.
Cregan, who has averaged 15 points per game, hit two penalties either side of the break and a mammoth drop goal from 40 metres out to send the home side three points ahead of idle Cork Con.
Shannon made four changes from the side which lost to Ballymena a fortnight ago.
Out wide they missed the incisive runs of veteran full back John Lacey, who failed a late fitness test, but went in front after 14 minutes, through a 40-metre penalty from Cregan.
Buccaneers answered back through David Connellan on 25 minutes, when the out-half slotted over from the home side’s 22’ after a lineout infringement.
Shannon’s chances of preserving their five-game unbeaten record were dealt a blow when referee John Redmond yellow carded out-half Andrew Thompson in first half stoppage time for his involvement in an off-the-ball incident, but the five-times champions regrouped and took the lead five minutes after the restart.
It was Cregan who thumped over his second penalty to move the score to 6-3, and his drop goal on 58 minutes was the final score as defence reigned in the final quarter, and Thompson’s return steadied the Shannon ship.
