Dolphin 16 Highfield 9

The date of Paul O’Connell’s return to competitive rugby is still unknown after Munster head coach Rob Penney admitted he did not know when the Ireland and Lions lock would be ready.

Munster will today expect to get a better handle on the extent of Johne Murphy’s ankle injury.

Young Munster, winners for the past three seasons, remain on course for another Limerick Charity Cup final appearance following their 26-14 semi-final win against great rivals Garryowen at Clifford Park last night.

YOUNG MUNSTER completed a hat-trick of Limerick Charity Cup finals wins when disposing of the challenge of a youthful Shannon side at a wet and blustery Dooradoyle last night.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

AIB league champions Shannon face the toughest of starts to the defence of their crown tonight as they face old rivals Garryowen in Dooradoyle (7.30pm).

YOUNG MUNSTER claimed the Limerick Charity Cup for the first time in 13 years with a dogged 11-10 win over UL Bohemian at Thomond Park on Saturday.

DOLPHIN will be looking to maintain their blistering start to the season when they visit Dooradoyle to take on Garryowen in the tie of the ODM Munster Senior Cup first round today (2.30pm).

REWARDING consistency has always been a Shannon thing, and it remains so under the coaching baton of Geoff Moylan in the build up to this afternoon’s AIB League final clash with Clontarf at Thomond Park (4pm).

AGE-OLD rivals Shannon and Garryowen could give the AIB League a boost when they clash under lights at the revamped Thomond Park stadium tonight (7.30pm).

Ian Hanley touched down twice as UL Bohemians beat their Limerick rivals Shannon 15-6 in the last ever match at the old Thomond Park.

Ian Hanley touched down twice as UL Bohemians beat their Limerick rivals Shannon 15-6 in the last ever match at the old Thomond Park.

Shannon 25 Belfast Harlequins 20

ROUND four of a potential five game series takes place today when Shannon and Garryowen meet in the Munster Cup final at Thomond Park (4pm).

SHOWING a united front, Ireland’s senior clubs have banded together in a bid to rescue the All-Ireland League from anonymity.

Mick Galwey has been unveiled as the new coach of Shannon.

PERPIGNAN, Munster’s opponents in the all-important Heineken Cup Pool 2 tie on January 11, once again demonstrated their potential on Sunday when running up 39 points without reply against Narbonne in the French Club Championship.