Mick Galwey's men kept hold of second place in the table with assistance from Munster trio Alan Quinlan, Tony Buckley and Donnacha Ryan, who all played 80 minutes.

Wind-backed 'Wegians led 5-3 at half-time thanks to centre Brett Sweeney's 38th-minute try.

But Quinlan's quick tap set up replacement Colm McMahon for a 53rd-minute try and victory was Shannon's when winger Stephen Kelly went over late on.

'Quinny' stepped in to replace his cousin David Quinlan, who is out injured, at number 8 today for Shannon. The latter's absence also saw a change in captain with young hooker Sean Cronin selected for the leadership role.

'Wegians had the wind in their favour in the opening half but could never build up a decent lead and so the Shannon comeback was always on the cards in the second period.

Some early Shannon pressure almost resulted in a try, indeed speedy winger Kelly looked set to cross the whitewash but he fumbled when stooping down to pick up his kick ahead and the chance was gone.

The game was 28 minutes' old when Andrew Thompson kicked a penalty to open the hosts' account. Ten minutes later, 'Wegians were celebrating a breakaway try.

Tim Fletcher did most of the damage as turnover ball allowed him to make 30 metres before he was stopped short of the Shannon line. The ball was quickly recycled for his centre partner Sweeney to squeeze over in the right corner.

The conversion was missed though and Shannon ended the half on the up and deep into 'Wegians' territory. They regained the lead when McMahon, who was only on the field a matter of seconds, darted over the line for a try from close range after a quick Quinlan-initiated attack.

Thompson missed the conversion but added a penalty in the 56th-minute and after 'Wegians had lost Martin Webdale to the sin-bin and Shannon scrum half Fiach O'Loughlin hobbled off injured, the hosts conjured up a second and final try.

It was a Kelly's fifth try of the league campaign and the move began with Ireland Six Nations squad member Buckley making a sizable break. Thompson then sent out a long pass to David O'Donovan who provided the assist for Kelly to make the left corner.

Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Colm McMahon, Stephen Kelly; Pens: Andrew Thompson 2

Galwegians: Try: Brett Sweeney

HT: Shannon 3 Galwegians 5