Shannon wary of Quins’ revolt

AIB LEAGUE champions Shannon were warned of the bid to topple them as far back as December 18 at the Grafton Arena in Belfast.

Shannon captain Tom Hayes confessed yesterday that the build-up to the festive season was full of unhappy memories from the week before Christmas, after Belfast Harlequins carried out a smash-and-grab exercise to steal a 19-18 victory.

Shannon led by 18 points in the 65th minute, before Harlequins scored what appeared to be a consolation try. Then, in injury time, they got struck for two more and took four crucial league points to strengthen their bid for a top four position.

Harlequins went one better to seal third place and one better again last week when they beat Garryowen in Dooradoyle for the second time this season.

Now, in the build-up to the AIB League final at Lansdowne Road on Saturday (4pm), Hayes is aware Harlequins pose a significant threat.

Shannon's league record is unparalleled and relative newcomers Harlequins will be viewed as outsiders to take a first title and deny Shannon a seventh.

Hayes knows Shannon face a daunting task.

"Any team that goes to Dooradoyle twice in a season and wins on both occasions must be respected. They took us apart in the last quarter of our game in Belfast, and we are well aware of what to expect.

"If people look at the results this season they may well have a different perspective on who should or should not be favourites."

Hayes expects the biggest problems to come from the Harlequins pack and said access to the contracted Ulster players would make Shannon's job more difficult.

"Munster play the Celtic Cup semi-final with Leinster on Sunday so I doubt we will have any of the players available. It gives Harlequins a boost in terms of experience, but we're still happy with what we have."

Hayes was in Lansdowne Road yesterday for the AIB League finals photo call and came face to face with young Harlequins vice-captain Paul McKenzie.

While Hayes is 24, he is the third oldest player in the Shannon squad (Munster players excluded).

"The age profile in the league is going down," he said.

McKenzie has just finished his second season with the Ireland Under-21 side, for whom he has appeared 10 times.

He's one of a number of quality backs coming through the Ulster system and is ready to return home from studies in Loughborough to stay.

"I hope to transfer to a course in Belfast. There is a great set-up in the club, a great atmosphere and I'm looking forward to coming back if that's possible."

McKenzie recognised that this final would be the biggest test this year for Harlequins.

"It felt magic to beat Garryowen in the semi-final, we performed well and deserved it, but Shannon will be a very different challenge.

"They're a class side, focused and can vary the play when required. We caught them cold in Belfast, they probably thought they had it won, but they learned from the experience.

"In terms of the experience of winning, they have it over us but we're heading to Lansdowne Road feeling we have nothing to lose. Dungannon and Ballymena have dominated Ulster club rugby and now we want a shot at the title."

Meanwhile, St Mary's take on UL Bohemians in the second division final after both secured promotion on the last day of the regulation season.

St Mary's skipper David Clare says it will be another tough game, referring to the February clash between the two, which St Mary's won 13-11.

"There was nothing but a kick of a ball between the teams, it was as close as the score line suggests."

St Mary's received a walkover last weekend from UCC.

"I feel sorry for UCC that they felt unable to field a team on the particular day," said Clare.

"UCC agreed to a postponement of our original league match when illness ravaged our squad and we were very grateful for that.

"It was a pity we could not have done the same, but time was against it."

In division three, Greystones, the runaway league winners, take on Instonians at 12 noon.