Galwey wary of slick Quins

SHANNON coach Mick Galwey and his squad have spent hours watching video clips of Belfast Harlequins in action against Garryowen in last week’s AIB League semi-final.

However, they were already forewarned of the danger posed by Harlequins in today's grand final at Lansdowne Road (4pm).

Shannon know Harlequins are capable of rattling some cages their own included and there won't be the slightest hint of presumption in the Limerick club's camp.

They'll cast their minds back to Belfast in December when, 18 points down with 15 minutes remaining, Harlequins struck three times in the closing stages to steal a sensational 19-18 victory.

It was therefore no surprise to Galwey, team captain Tom Hayes or anyone else that Harlequins managed to beat Garryowen last week.

"I wouldn't say I fully expected it, but I wasn't surprised," said Hayes.

The Shannon skipper admires Harlequins as thorough professionals.

"They act like it on the pitch and they have a fantastic set-up in Belfast, so I'm not shocked to see them come this far. We certainly know what to expect. We have looked at the Garryowen game closely but we have a fair bit of information on them from the December match as well, and it's not all good from our point of view!"

Shannon won't finalise their team until today, following injury problems after their win over Clontarf.

Frankie Roche, who missed the semi-final with a calf strain, will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness and Fiach O'Loughlin is also involved in a race against time to overcome a leg injury. Brian Tuohy and Fionn McLoughlin are other injury doubts.

Shannon are in the happy position of having the experienced Andrew Thompson and Tom Cregan available. These two have played key roles in various games this season, although they were not always in the starting XV.

Apart from the injured Roche, the biggest difficulty facing Galwey is who to choose in his pack. He has a particular dilemma at hooker, where in-form Nigel Conroy may keep out the more experienced James Blaney.

Shannon may well have won the title on six occasions, but the desire for success remains as strong as ever.

According to Galwey, Harlequins have a wealth of talent and are equally adept at playing a tight or expansive game. The coach suggests that the destiny of this year's AIL title could be decided by one score and he could be close to the mark.

Meanwhile Second Division Champions UL Bohs face St Mary's at 2pm and are out for revenge after their two-point defeat in the league.

In the club's opinion that loss was due to a controversial ruling on a conversion, with the Limerick side feeling the kick went wide rather than over.

UL Bohs have selected the team that won the vital away game in Ballynahinch to clinch the title.

Some doubts hang over full back Cathal Garvey, who had flu last week and missed the victory over Dolphin.

Head coach Mike Tewkesbury has had to make some very tough decisions, with Cillian O'Boyle, having missed some recent matches through injury, making way for Aidan Rees.

The toughest decisions arose in selecting the back row: John Ed O'Connor and Ryan Hartigan have had some notable success when selected but have failed to make the team. Tewkesbury has kept faith with the successful partnership of Aidan O'Gorman, Philip van Esbeck and James O'Neill.

An interesting face among the replacements is Barry Murphy, whose last game was in the Munster League victory over Cork Con in October.

In division three, Greystones look set to finish on a high, with Instonians unlikely to provide a challenge for a side that set scoring records this season.

UL BOHEMIANS: C Garvey, I Hanley, C Finn, M McPhail, K Matthews, B Martin, A Rees, M Harty, G Ryan, M Storey, B Madigan, A Hartigan, A O'Gormon (captain), J O'Neill, P van Esbeck.