RESURGENT Garryowen greatly boosted their chances of securing a home semi-final in this season's All Ireland League with a stunning 34-8 derby victory over holders Shannon. And a haul of four tries, with two in each half, ensured that Garryowen also secured a precious bonus point against their fierce rivals.

Flying winger Ciaran O'Boyle grabbed a brace of first-half touchdowns to help wind-assisted Garryowen in a healthy 20-5 interval lead.

Shannon's play improved in the third quarter, but Mick Galwey's side were simply unable to breach the watertight light blues defence.

Two tries in the closing 10 minutes, one from Anthony Kavanagh and the second a penalty try, wrapped up a convincing win for Paul Cunningham's side. The victory was all the sweeter for Garryowen given their disappointing showing when knocked out of the AIB Cup at the semi-final stage by St Mary's College a week earlier. But despite the defeat, Shannon's second of the campaign, the holders remain in a strong position to make the knock-out stages of the competition with three rounds of games remaining.

Both sides have enjoyed impressive defensive records in this latest league campaign. Shannon had conceded the least number of points before kick-off, 122, while their opponents had coughed up the fewest tries, just 11.

However, Shannon's excellent defensive record was severely dented in the opening 30 minutes of this game.

The champions, playing into the stiff breeze, conceded 20 points without reply. The home side went in front on eight minutes after Conor Kilroy landed a penalty goal.

Garryowen bagged the opening try of the game in the 14th minute when O'Boyle grabbed the first of a first-half brace. Garryowen won a lineout close to half-way line and their impressive pack set up excellent field position. The ball was eventually moved out and winger Ciaran O'Boyle outstripped the Shannon defence to score.

Kilroy's conversion and a drop-goal helped Garryowen into a 13-0 lead.

Shannon, winners of five of their previous six away matches in the league this season, were clearly rattled.

And the holders fell further behind soon after when O'Boyle crossed for his second touchdown. From a scrum, Garryowen scrumhalf Gerry Hurley made a sniping break and his perfectly timed pass sent the winger clear. Kilroy added the conversion points to leave Garryowen 20-0 in front.

However, Shannon's cause didn't seem completely lost at half-time after Mossie Lawlor crossed for a well-worked try before the break following good work by forwards Les Hogan, Colm McMahon and Eddie Halvey.

Try-scorer Lawlor was introduced as a second-half substitute in Munster's Celtic League clash with Ulster on Friday night. A 48th minute David Delaney penalty then brought Shannon to within 12 points. However, Garryowen sealed the win in the closing 10 minutes when Anthony Kavanagh scored a fine try after a terrific break by Ciaran O'Boyle's twin brother, Cillian.

Garryowen completed the runaway win with a penalty try after Gerry Hurley had been halted illegally.

GARRYOWEN C Kilroy; Ciaran O'Boyle, K Hartigan, P Devlin, Cillian O'Boyle; C Doyle, G Hurley; R Brosnan, P Humphreys, R Laffan, E Mackey, D Sheehan, P Neville, A Kavanagh, P Malone Subs F Pala'amo for Laffan, 52 mins; D Varley for Humphreys, 67 mins; R Henderson for Kilroy, 72 mins SHANNON M Lawlor; P O'Connor, A Thompson, E Cahill, B Tuohy; D Delaney, F McNamara; L Hogan, S Cronin, G McNamara, D Keane, P O'Brien, A Meany, C McMahon, E Halvey Subs T Buckley for G McNamara, 45 mins; D O'Donovan for Lawlor, 62 mins; A Laffan for Keane, 67 mins; TJ Hickey for Halvey, 75 mins Referee G Clancy (Munster)