Back row Colm McMahon, Shannon’s captain, scored a try on his first start since breaking the fourth metatarsal bone in his right foot in October. Ireland under-21 hooker Sean Cronin also touched down in the second half to help Mick Galwey’s men up back up to first — a single point clear of Limerick rivals Garryowen.
Blackrock, walloped 49-0 and 71-15 by Cork Constitution and Lansdowne in recent weeks, proved sticky opponents and were unfortunate to be trailing 5-3 at the break.
Their fly-half Killian McGowan landed a 21st-minute penalty, but McMahon made the breakthrough for the home side five minutes later, scoring his try in the left corner.
Dave Delaney swept the conversion wide and a rather listless first half was closed out with a yellow card for the visitors’ prop Garrett Fitzgerald for persistent infringing.
Ten minutes into the second half, Brian Tuohy did well to stave off a certain try from Blackrock scrum-half Ross Molloy, who broke off the back of a ruck. On 54 minutes they got their try, though, when prop Sean Byrne ploughed over after an Eddie Manawaiti break.
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Delaney squared it at 8-8 on 63 minutes and Cronin’s try, five minutes later, was the final act.
Garryowen lost their grip on the only unbeaten record in the top flight when a brace of tries from winger Derek Keane handed Clontarf a prized 18-10 win at Dooradoyle.
Keane took his tally for the season to nine tries in 10 games as he crossed in either half. Garryowen mustered a try of their own, early in the second half, when their pack disrupted the Dubliners’ scrum and Paul Neville took the ball on to score. Clontarf, who led 6-3 at the interval, sealed the win on 73 minutes with Keane’s second, converted by Darragh O’Shea.
At Deramore Park, replacement fly-half Michael Glancy kicked a drop goal two minutes into injury-time, as Belfast Harlequins pipped their Ulster rivals Ballymena, winning 21-20. Harlequins are now just a point away from fourth place.
Ballymena led 17-3 early on thanks to tries from winger Scott Young and lock Henry Head. Paddy Wallace converted both efforts and landed a penalty.
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But Harlequins reduced the gap to two by the break with Ireland under-21 centre Darren Cave and winger Johnny McClaughlin both touching down.
Wallace and Glancy swapped penalties in the third quarter before the latter ensured a home win.
Lansdowne moved up to ninth in the table courtesy of a five-try 33-8 romp at Dublin University.