UL BOHEMIAN secured the bragging rights around Thomond Park in the final game before major redevelopment work begins at the venue with a deserved 15-6 All-Ireland League win over fellow tenants Shannon yesterday. Flying winger Ian Hanley bagged two crucial tries, one in each half, as UL Bohs greatly boosted their chances of securing a top four play-off spot.

It was somehow fitting that UL Bohemian should secure the momentous win, given that the club, in its old guise of Bohemians, had played in the very first match at the venue back in 1934. The victory sees them move four points ahead of the champions Shannon with just three series of games remaining in the regular season.

Mick Galwey's Shannon side did have an opportunity to secure a bonus point late on but a 79th-minute penalty from Andrew Thompson flew just wide.

'Home' side UL Bohemian were good value for their success. Their pack, led by prop Martin Storey, lock Brian Madigan and flanker John Ed O'Connor, worked tirelessly all through to secure a plentiful supply of good quality possession for their backs.

And with the likes of Ben Martin and Martin McPhail threatening with ball in hand, Shannon experienced an uncomfortable afternoon.

The winners' defence was also outstanding, as UL Bohs deprived Shannon of too many scoring opportunities.

The reverse is a blow to Shannon's hopes of making the knock-out stages, but with two of their final three regular season games at home, the eight-time champions will still fancy their chances of being involved in the business end of the League.

The starting line-ups included two brothers on opposite teams. Andrew Finn played at outside centre for Shannon, while UL Bohemian were captained by his brother Coleman who began at inside centre.

Shannon made the more impressive start when prolific Andrew Thompson landed a penalty goal after just two minutes when a Bohs player was pinged for off-side.

Thompson was off target with a further penalty attempt in the eighth minute, before UL Bohemian struck for the game's opening try 10 minutes later. The opportunity arose when Shannon player was penalised for straying offside at a ruck.

Quick-thinking UL Bohs scrum-half Chris Delooze took a quick tap and sniped his way deep inside the Shannon 22. The ball was quickly spun out along the back-line with Ben Martin and Mark Butler combining to put left winger Ian Hanley over in the corner. Martin failed to add the points.

Shannon were dealt a further close to the half hour mark when team captain Colm McMahon was forced off with a shoulder injury.

Half time sounded with UL Bohemian clinging to a precious 5-3 lead.

Shannon began the second half exactly as they opened the first with an Andrew Thompson penalty goal, this time from just in front of the posts. However, resilient Bohs, winners over Shannon in this season's Limerick Charity Cup final, hit back with Hanley bagging a second try of the game.

Flanker John Ed O'Connor forced the initial opening before winger Martin McPhail made a powerful surge inside the Shannon half.

The right winger cleverly chipped ahead and the following up Hanley made the most of a favourable bounce to dive on the ball.

This time Martin was on target with the conversion attempt and his 78th-minute penalty following a high tackle on McPhail help clinch a precious win.

UL BOHEMIAN M Butler; I Hanley, B Martin, C Finn (Capt), M McPhendsail; F Lawlor, C Delooze; K Flanagan, G Ryan, M Storey; B.

Madigan, R Hartigan; A O'Gorman, J O'Connor, J O'Neill Subs A Hartigan for O'Neill (inj), 8 mins.

Shannon D O'Donovan; S Kelly, A Finn, I Dowling, P O'Connor; A Thompson, F McNamara; C Costigan, S Cronin, T Buckley; P O'Brien, F Walsh; D Ryan, C McMahon (Capt), D Quinlan Subs G Noonan for McMahon (inj), 28 mins; TJ Hickey for Quinlan, 54 mins; J Clogan for Kelly, 73 mins; T Bennett for Dowling, 79 mins.

Referee J Carville (Leinster)