Shannon’s giant Buckley can be the new Hayes

THE renowned Shannon front-row factory is alive and well.

For the past number of years, John Hayes has been a mainstay of the Ireland and Munster teams at tight head prop while Marcus Horan has been holding up the other side of the scrum and establishing himself as a key man in the national side.

Now Tony Buckley, a 6ft 5 inch, 21 stone giant from Newmarket, Co Cork, is developing nicely and by the time the 2007 World Cup comes round, he may well be challenging for Hayes’ jersey.