Shannon in mood to strike

HAVING won Division One last season, Shannon travel to play 2003 champions Ballymena at Eaton Park today.

The Limerick side will travel in confidence, having handed out a 42-13 hammering to UCD last week and coach Mick Galwey will be keen to use that victory as a springboard to greater things. With Ballymena out of sorts in recent weeks, the men in black and blue look in good shape for their fifth win of the campaign.

The coach was among the playing personnel the last time Shannon played Ballymena at Eaton Park two years ago, and their 14-13 loss on that occasion will give Galwey pause. Steph Nel's Ballymena have lost four of their last six outings but Shannon won't take them for granted on their last trip north of the border Belfast Harlequins scored 19 second-half points against them.

Clontarf have been very good at Castle Avenue this season, beating both Dungannon and Garryowen, and Blackrock will have to improve considerably to win today.

'Tarf' were lucky to beat Dublin University 14-11 in their last league game and had South African substitute Dan van Zyl to thank for an injury time penalty winner. Clontarf were without coach Phil Werahiko on that occasion and look on target for another home win here.

Buccaneers' 20-17 loss to Galwegians two weeks ago in the Connacht derby was a severe blow, but the news has improved since. The return of back row legend and club captain Eoin 'Tayto' Brennan from a long term leg injury is a boost that should spur them to a home win over Garryowen, who are in third place.

The Limerick outfit have only won once against Buccaneers, but they have firepower behind the scrum centre Ray Niland, with four tries to his credit, is a particular threat.

Belfast Harlequins and UCD are away to Lansdowne and Galwegians, with Harlequins being the league's form side. Although they'll lose coach Andre Bester to Rotherham at the end of the season, 'Quins' have won four from four and scored 12 tries, including three from dangerous right wing Paul McKenzie. They've moved into fourth and should be too good for Lansdowne in Dublin.

On Sunday UCD travel to Crowley Park to take on Galwegians, with the home side on a high after two victories over Buccaneers and Cork Con. The Bernie Kelly-led westerners will test the students but UCD are on a high, despite that beating by Shannon. Visiting fly-half Eoghan Hickey should spearhead a UCD win.

Elsewhere, last season's runners-up Cork Con, who haven't won in over four weeks, head to Dublin University in desperate need of the points. There could be a battle of old and new out-halves at Oak Park, as County Carlow's Richie Murphy a veteran of Greystones and Clontarf takes on Dungannon and Ireland Under-21 star Gareth Steenson. The Tyrone side are seventh after two wins from three and should be good enough to win here.

In Division Two, the meeting of leaders Dolphin and second-placed St Mary's is the top attraction.

With two points between them, victory is vital for St. Mary's if they are to maintain their push for promotion. Third-placed De La Salle could also make a move if they can beat second from bottom Highfield, in Kilternan.

UL Bohemians take on Old Belvedere in a repeat of the game that in essence lost both the title and promotion last season.

In Division Three, leaders Greystones have scored the most points 280 and the most tries 36- in the three divisions and they take on Limerick side Bruff, who are languishing in fourteenth spot.

Second-placed Clonakility, eight points off the leaders, play Queen's in Cork, while basement dwellers Portadown, without a win so far, take on mid-table Skerries.