CHAMPIONS Shannon sounded yet another warning to their title rivals that they won't be easily knocked from their lofty perch after grinding out a hard-fought 16-11 All-Ireland League win over great rivals Cork Constitution at Thomond Park yesterday.

The victory, Shannon's eighth straight win in the competition this season, helped the Limerick side avenge their defeat by Con in the AIL Cup competition before Christmas.

It also provided Mick Galwey's men with a notable psychological boost as the league enters its second half.

The turning points of this keenly-contested clash arrived at the three-quarter stage. Shannon held a 9-3 lead, but Con were camped deep inside the home side's 22.

Constitution forced a penalty, but turned down the easy chance of three points from a penalty kick, opting for a scrum instead.

Shannon disrupted the setpiece and broke upfield, forcing a penalty of their own.

Following an excellent lineout take from replacement Stephen Keogh, the Shannon forwards mauled their way over their opponents' line, with another replacement, Frankie Roche, credited with the touchdown.

The score was a massive boost for Shannon, who had to withstand a strong late rally from the Cork side, before securing their 18th straight win in the AIL.

Cork Con did have the compensation of securing a bonus point, thanks to Darragh Lyons injury-time penalty.

Backed by a stiff breeze, Shannon led 9-0 at the break.

Given the strength of the elements it wasn't that significant an advantage.

David Delaney landed two penalties and full-back Mossie Lawlor added a smashing drop goal for the home side.

Cork Con enjoyed a plentiful supply of possession but the visitors lacked the guile necessary to prize open a rock solid Shannon defence.

Con were also dealt a blow when second row Shane O'Connor was yellow-carded just before the break Shannon squandered a giltedged opportunity to increase their advantage just before the break when lock Trevor Hogan knocked on close to the line.

Cork Con were back in the game two minutes after the restart when Lyons landed a penalty goal.

Shannon flanker Donncha Ryan was sin-binned in conceding the penalty.

Con upped the performance in the third quarter and threatened the Shannon line more than once.

However, the Shannon defence refused to buckle and Roches 63rd minute try and Delaneys conversion left Shannon with a 16-3 advantage.

The Cork side came back strongly, with centre Tom Gleeson forcing his way over for a try in the 83rd minute.

SHANNON M Lawlor; F McLoughlin, B Tuohy, E Cahill, D ODonovan; D Delaney, F McNamara; L Hogan, S Cronin, G McNamara, T Hogan, P OBrien, D Ryan, J OConnor, E Halvey Subs F Roche for G McNamara, 46 mins; S Keogh for P OBrien, 53 mins; A Meany for J OConnor, 77 mins; TJ Hickey for S Cronin, 79 mins

CORK CONSTITUTION C OSullivan; A Horgan, T Gleeson, A O'Brien, C Healy; D Lyons, F Murphy; T Ryan, D Murray, M Ross, S Cottrell, S OConnor, M OConnell, B Cutriss, F Cogan Subs R Lane for A O'Brien, 75 mins; J Moloney for S Cottrell, L Hill for D Murray, both 79 mins Referee A McKay (Ulster)