CLONTARF gained part compensation at least for losing last season's All-Ireland League final to Shannon when securing a dramatic 17-16 win over the holders at Thomond Park yesterday.

A Clontarf victory looked highly unlikely with 15 minutes of this entertaining contest remaining. An intercept try from Limerick senior football star Stephen Kelly had helped Shannon into a sizeable 16-3 lead and seemingly on course for an 11th win in 13 League meetings with Tarf.

But in-form Clontarf had other ideas and fought back resolutely during the remainder of the game. The Dublin side hit back with two fine tries in the 66th minute from winger Matt Nethery and from lock Alan Trenier three minutes from full-time.

However, the win was not secured until Nethery landed the difficult second conversion. The final whistle sounded soon after and not even the most devout Shannon supporter could begrudge Tarf this win.

Shannon themselves have become masters of snatching victories from near hopeless situations and several of their biggest wins in recent seasons have been secured at the business end of the League against Clontarf. The win cements Clontarf 's top four hopes, but Shannon, by virtue of securing a bonus point, remain in touch with the pace setters.

Shannon's starting line-up included full-back Mossie Lawlor who was introduced as a sub in Munster's Magners League defeat by Dragons in Wales the previous night.

Clontarf came into the game on the back of an excellent run which has seen them win their last four AIL matches.

The home side made an ideal start when out-half Tadhg Bennett landed a fifthminute penalty goal. Neither side could gain a decisive edge in the opening period. Much of the game was played out among the respective packs, but each time the ball was spun wide the respective defences held the upper hand.

Two Shannon old boys combined to bring Tarf level.

Scrum-half Fiach O'Loughlin found Niall McNamara with a perfectly placed pass and the out-half landed a sweet drop goal in the ninth minute. Back came Shannon and the home side went in front when Bennett landed his second penalty goal in the 17th minute.

It took a smashing tackle by Shannon centre Pat O'Connor to deny Tarf lock Trenier of an excellent try-scoring chance on the half-hour mark.

Bennett's third penalty goal of the half in stoppage time from just inside the Tarf half ensured Shannon's six-point, 9-3, interval lead.

The tight nature of the game continued in the third quarter, with scoring opportunities few and far between. Darragh O'Shea was off target with a drop goal attempt in the 62nd minute before Kelly struck for his crucial try, running 70 metres to touchdown.

Clontarf 's fine response through Nethery's 66th minute try, following a flowing backline move gave their vocal band of supporters hope. And it was left to Trenier and Nethery to provide the match-winning scores late on.

Shannon won't have long to wait for a chance of avenging this defeat. The same two side are due to come face-toface in the opening round of the AIB Cup on Saturday next.

SHANNON M Lawler; S Kelly, P O'Connor, J Clogan, A Finn; T Bennett, F McNamara; L Hogan, S Cronin, G McNamara; P O'Connor, F Walsh; A Meany, C McMahon (Capt), D Quinlan Subs F McLoughlin for Clogan, 56 mins; N O'Driscoll for A Meany, 74 mins CLONTARF C Keane; N O'Brien, D O'Shea, C Keegan, M Nethery; N McNamara, F O'Loughlin (Capt); J Wickham, N Carson, A O'Donnell; A Trenier, J Duffy; S Crawford, D Quinn, M Garvey Subs AJ Clarke for O'Donnell, 60 mins; P Purdue for Garvey, C Healy for Carson, both 75 mins Referee A Rolland (IRFU)