CHAMPIONS Shannon sounded a warning to the remaining title contenders that they won't surrender their title without a real fight after securing a bonus point win over fellow top-four contenders Dungannon at a sunny Thomond Park yesterday.

Andrew Finn's 82ndminute try helped Mick Galwey's men secure a maximum five-point haul and ended Dungannon's fivegame winning run in the league.

This was the holders' most impressive performance of the season by some way and greatly boosts their chances of securing a play-off spot at the end of the regular season.

There was no lack of industry and commitment from Dungannon during this entertaining tie, but the visitors lacked the kind of cutting edge necessary to trouble the champions' defence.

Shannon led 13-0 at the break, but it was in the second half that the home side produced their best rugby.

The Shannon pack dominated their opponents and created the platform for their backs to score crucial tries.

Shannon out-half Andrew Thompson scored all of the home side's points in the opening half. The veteran, a holder of eight AIL medals, missed two early penalty kicks before making amends after converting from close range in the 13th minute and 23rd minutes.

The Shannon out-half then grabbed the game's opening try on the half hour mark.

The opening was created by some excellent work by fullback Mossie Lawler, who was later forced off injured, and talented lock Fergal Walsh.

Thompson opted to chip ahead when coming into the line. His grubber kick bounced up perfectly into his hands and the out-half showed a neat turn of pace to outstrip the visitors' defence.

For good measure, he also added the extras.

Shannon, unbeaten in 13 AIL meetings with Dungannon, made the perfect start to the second half when SeA n Cronin raced clear of the visitors' defence from the halfway line to score a second try. It was the dynamic hooker's seventh try of the current AIL campaign.

Dungannon introduced the experienced Jonathan Bell and Adam Larkin soon after in a bid to get back into the game. However, in perfect playing conditions, it was Shannon who upped their performance.

The home side's third try arrived in the 58th minute when substitute Gary McNamara and Cronin combined to send team captain Colm McMahon over in the left corner.

With a little over 20 minutes remaining Shannon looked a good bet to secure the bonus point try. However, some excellent defence from the visitors kept the Limerick side at bay.

Just as the bonus point appeared set to elude the holders, they forced a turnover on the Dungannon 22 and centre Andrew Finn kept his composure to race over for their fourth touchdown of the half.

The defeat was Dungannon's fourth of the campaign and the Ulster side will have to wait a bit longer before securing their 100th League win.

Despite the hefty defeat Dungannon will still harbour hopes of making the knockout stages of the competition. But they have no margin for errors.

SHANNON M Lawler; S Kelly, A Finn, J Clogan, Pat O'Connor; A Thompson, F McNamara; C Costigan, S Cronin, T Buckley, P O'Brien, F Walsh, G Noonan, C McMahon, D Quinlan Subs D O'Donovan for M Lawler, 37 mins; G McNamara for C Costigan, 56 mins; J Manuel for J Clogan, 59 mins; TJ Hickey for S Cronin, Phil O'Connor for G Noonan, 75 mins DUNGANNON J McGuckin; N Patterson, P Magee, G Telford, M Pehi; R McCarter, J Bates;

G Sinnamon, C O'Kane, D Fitzpatrick, S McCarroll, R Caldwell, A Hughes, O Hennessy, S Lamb Subs A Larkin for J McGuckin, J Bell for M Pehi, both 45 mins; M Rainey for S McCarroll, 56 mins; G Maxwell for G Sinnamon, G Neily for C O'Kane, 77 mins Referee K Henley-Willis (Leinster)