Shannon title defence off to good start
Shannon 24 Blackrock 11, Thomond Park
Champions Shannon joined five other teams at the top of the AIB League Division One table thanks to a late surge in their 24-11 Thomond Park triumph over Blackrock.
Winger Tom Cregan, the league's top points-scorer last term with 211, was again central to this but it took a stoppage-time try from Stephen Keogh to finally see off 'Rock.
Cregan clipped over the first of four penalties on two minutes, before 'Rock full-back Conor Kilroy equalised from the Shannon '22.
Following a five-metre scrum on 13 minutes, Shannon scored their first try through David Quinlan, one of three players to return from Australia.
Cregan converted, but with Keogh sin-binned for persistent scrum offences, Kilroy gave the visitors hope and a 10-6 interval deficit with an excellent penalty from halfway.
Steve McIvor's side stole in front six minutes after the restart, as centre Andy O'Neill ghosted through.
Kilroy missed the conversion and two further penalties, leaving the way clear for a Shannon fightback.
Cregan obliged, cracking over kicks on 60, 77 and 82 minutes before Keogh bulldozed over to hand new coach Mick Gawley an opening win.
Scorers: Shannon: Tries: David Quinlan, Stephen Keogh; Con: Tom Cregan; Pens: Tom Cregan 4
Blackrock: Try: Andy O'Neill; Pens: Conor Kilroy 2
