Shannon booked their place in the final with a 25-19 victory against Highfield at Woodleigh Park.

Shannon will host Naas in next week’s Energia All Ireland Division 1B Final after both sides won exciting semi-final ties away from home.

Tries either side of halftime by Jamie McGarry and Ronan Coffey were the decisive scores in this thrilling encounter.

Highfield threw everything at Shannon in the final few minutes, but a solid defence held firm to claim the win.

Jake Flannery gave Shannon an early lead with a penalty but Shane O’Riordan replied with two penalties to put Highfield ahead at the end of the first quarter.

Then came the drama; from a kickable penalty, Shannon opted for a five-meter line out which Sean McCarthy won for the visitors and as Shannon mauled the ball over the line, McCarthy touched down, but immediately McCarthy was shown a yellow card.

Jake Flannery converted but Highfield were awarded a penalty on the halfway line and O’Riordan converted to leave Shannon 10-9 ahead.

Playing with the extra man Highfield pressed home their numerical advantage when O’Riordan set up Paddy O’Toole for a try which O’Riordan converted four minutes before the interval.

McGarry reduced the deficit to a point with a try in the corner following some excellent work by the Shannon forwards to leave it 16-15 to Highfield at the short whistle.

From the restart, Shannon had Highfield pinned back and they were rewarded in the 43^rd minute when Ronan Coffey powered over the line and Flannery added the extras.

Flannery extended Highfield’s lead with a penalty in the 55^th minute.

Credit to Highfield they dominated the final ten minutes. A penalty from O’Riordan reduced the gap to six points.

Camped inside the Shannon ’22 and despite winning several penalties, Highfield were unable to add to their tally.