Galwegians gunning to end Shannon hoodoo in semi-final
Galwegians have not beaten Shannon in their last five outings but will be hoping home advantage can spur them to beat the Munster giants in this big game.
This is Galwegians’ first semi-final in this competition, having lost to Shannon in the first round last year and to Garryowen at the quarter-final stage in the inaugural season of 2005/06. The omens may not be that bad either in that they are drawn at home again this weekend as they were in the three previous rounds.
But the Galway side have lost their last five AIB League fixtures with Shannon and while they’re doing well in the cup, they haven’t managed a league victory since December 8.
Meanwhile, Shannon, the perennial cup specialists at provincial level, will actually be bidding for their first final appearance in the AIB Cup. They lost in the first round to Cork Constitution in 2005/06 and to Belfast Harlequins in the semis last year.
They got their revenge this year beating ‘Quins in the opening round before knocking out UCC to reach the semi-final stage.
Shannon have won eight league titles. On Saturday they will be playing away in the cup for the fourth time this season. They won 15-14 on their most recent AIB League visit to Crowley Park in October 2006.
Meanwhile, Blackrock College take on Clontarf in the second semi at Stradbrook tomorrow (2.30).
This is ‘Rock’s first season in the AIB Cup and they have put paid to some tough opposition on the road to the semis, beating Instonians 42-6 in the first round, then knocking out AIB League Division One leaders Cork Constitution in the second round before a quarter-final win over UCD.
Blackrock first played in the AIB League against Clontarf in November 1992, winning 19-8 at home to them in Division Two, and they have won three and lost three of their last six AIB League fixtures with Clontarf.
’Rock have won three, drawn one and lost six of their last 10 league games at home to other Leinster clubs. The story at home in AIB competitions so far this season is: played 8, won 6, drawn 0 and lost 2. They are currently in seventh place in the Division One table.
This is Clontarf’s first semi-final in the AIB Cup, having previously reached the quarters in 2006 when they lost to Garryowen, while they were knocked out in the first round by Shannon in 2007.
They have won eight of their last nine AIB League and Cup fixtures. Clontarf won 29-3 on their most recent league visit to Stradbrook in January 2006.
They are chasing a hat-trick of victories over Blackrock in AIB competitions tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in the AIB Junior Cup semi finals, Crosshaven play Navan in Crosshaven today (3.30), while Tullamore host Clonmel in Tullamore tomorrow (2.30).
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