Shannon face difficult game in the North

After their impressive win against Lansdowne in the opening round of the AIB League, Shannon now face the long journey to Dungannon this Saturday to take on a side who lost their opening game.

After their impressive win against Lansdowne in the opening round of the AIB All Ireland League, Shannon now face the long journey to Dungannon this Saturday to take on a side who lost their opening game.

Stevenson Park is a happy hunting ground for Shannon who have won all four games that they played there, indeed their record against Dungannon is probably their best against any other first division side. They have played the Co.Tyrone side on nine occasions and the only match point conceded to them was a drawn game in Thomond Park in 2001, when Dungannon went onto win the title.

The Shannon XV that takes to the field this Saturday will show some enforced changes from last weekend’s. With Munster in Celtic league action on Friday evening in Limerick it means that once again Geoff Moylan will have to without the services of a number of players. Five Shannon players are due to start with Munster and with Colm Mc Mahon elevated from the bench it means that the Shannon side will be minus one of their stars of last weekends game.

Another selection worry comes with news that Shannon’s Captain; Tom Hayes has been called up to replace Mc Mahon on the Munster bench along with James Blaney. Moylan will be hopeful that these two players will be available for the following day’s action with their club. On the positive side, backrow player Garrett Noonan resumed training this week after a viral infection forced his late withdrawal from the Lansdowne game.

Brian Buckley is certain to start in the second row and last weekend’s man of the Match; John O’Connor looks a nother certainty. It would look likely that the two props will retain their positions after a solid display while the hooker position along with the composition of the rest of the pack will remain open until after the Munster game.

The backline will most likely show only one change with Tom Cregan unavailable due to exam commitments. Fiach O’Loughlin, who scored a try last week will partner AIL veteran Andrew Thompson in the half back pairing, and with Shannon’s two centres, Eoin Cahill and Brian Tuohy in outstanding form, it’s hard to see a change in that department.

It would appear that John Lacey is ever present on the Shannon side over recent years and there are no indications that that will change. David O’Donovan will have a new partner on the opposite wing due to Creagan’s unavailability. There are several possibilities for Moylan to select from, but the most likely scenario would see former Kilkenny youth player Ian Dolwing start his first AIL game.

Under normal circumstances, Shannon would justifiably be installed as favourites given their impressive record over Dungannon, however with so many unavailable to Shannon, it would appear that the odds have been greatly reduced.

Shannon will be looking to consolidate their early lead in the AIL, but with home advantage, Dungannon will be keen to impress and get their first win in the new campaign.

Match referee: Alan Rogan (Leinster)