FOR the first time since the inception of the All-Ireland League play-offs, holders Shannon will face an away semi-final at the last-four stage of the competition. . . but the Shannon faithful won't have too far to travel next weekend.

Shannon's bonus-point win over Belfast Harlequins on the final day of the regular season at Thomond Park set up a mouth-watering semifinal clash with city rivals Garryowen at Dooradoyle.

Champions Shannon will be out for revenge after shipping a heavy defeat at the hands of the 'light blues' in their league meeting earlier in the season. Shannon coach Mick Galwey will be encouraged by Shannon's form ahead of that derby clash.

On a perfect day for rugby Shannon ran in five tries in all, with Rotherham-bound centre Brian Tuohy helping himself to a brace.

Man of the match Mossy Lawlor and influential halfbacks David Delaney and Frankie McNamara also crossed for touchdowns as the Limerick side repeated their 2005 AIL final win over Belfast Harlequins.

While Shannon were already through to the playoffs, Quins' hopes of making it through to the semi-finals for a third year in succession had already evaporated.

The home side made the perfect start with a try inside two minutes. Full-back Lawlor created the opening when making a terrific break from inside his own half.

Lawlor fed prop Les Hogan, who was eventually hauled down just short of the Quins try-line.

The ball was quickly recycled and Shannon's scrumhalf Frankie McNamara was left with the simple task of touching the ball down. Outhalf David Delaney duly added the conversion points.

The Limerick side came agonisingly close to gaining a second touchdown in the eighth minute, after Tuohy and Lawlor combined to send Pat O'Connor clear.

However, a last-gasp challenge forced O'Connor to put a foot in touch with the tryline only inches away.

Quins were right back in contention when out-half Johnny McClaughlin knocked over a 13th minute penalty goal. The dry and warm conditions aided the open, enterprising approach of both sides. Shannon scored their second try of the afternoon in the 23rd minute. From a quick penalty, scrum-half McNamara sniped his way inside the Quins half.

The influential McNamara fed flanker Colm McMahon, who stormed inside the 22 before floating a perfectlyweighted pass out for centre Tuohy to score his sixth try of the campaign in the left corner.

Quins may have had little more than pride to play for, but they provided stubborn resistance until first-half injury time when Shannon's out-half Delaney latched onto a lose ball on the 22 before scampering over unopposed.

Delaney also added the extras to give the home side a 16-point half-time lead.

Tuohy's second try in the 50th minute secured a bonus point for the home side, who added a further try through inspirational full-back Mossy Lawlor in the 67th minute.

Belfast Harlequins, who battled right to the finish, had consolation tries through fullback Mark Kettyle and replacement Rowan Frost late on.

SHANNON M Lawlor; P O'Connor, B Tuohy, J Clogan, D O'Donovan; D Delaney, F McNamara; L Hogan, TJ Hickey, G McNamara, T Hogan, P O'Brien, C McMahon (c), J O'Connor, D Ryan Subs T Downes for Hogan, 23 mins; A Meany for C McMahon, 51 mins; M Tuohy for P O'Connor, S Cronin for TJ Hickey, 55 mins; T Bennett for D Delaney, 60 mins

BELFAST HARLEQUINS M Kettyle; J Lowe (c), M McKeever, N Stewart, P McKenzie; J McClaughlin, R Kirkwood, C Keown, S Philpott, B Lynch, G Rourke, L Stevenson, R Devonshire, C Atkinson, C McCarey Subs R Frost for Atkinson, 39 mins; K Pyper for N Stewart, M Glancy for J McClaughlin, 51 mins Referee C Stanley (Ulster)