Shannon need to hit form against free-scoring UCD

Ulster Bank League play-off

Victory is essential if the team that has captured the title on a record nine occasions since the AIL’s inception in 1991 is to retain its Division 1 status. But a massive test awaits against a stylish UCD side that ran up 556 points and picked up ten try bonuses in finishing second in Division 1B behind Ballynahinch.

If anything, the opposite has been the case for Shannon who looked certainties for relegation when losing each of their first seven league ties. Things picked up the longer the season went on but they still endured many anxious moments before settling for today’s play-off when they avoided the drop because of a superior points score difference over Limerick neighbours UL Bohemians.

“Our start to the season was absolutely soul destroying”, admitted Ryan.

“We had to address the situation. A lot of soul searching was done and some very difficult decision were made. We changed our coaching set-up after losing the first four league games and even though we still went down in the next three, a considerable improvement was evident and in the final analysis, I think the call was justified and has been vindicated.”

Thomas Hickey, a prop forward who savoured considerable success with Shannon in his playing days, and Brian Tuohy took over the coaching responsibility from Stephen Keogh and the essential points began to flow.

Ryan spoke in glowing terms of the contribution made to the recovery by Munster and Ireland prop Marcus Horan who plays his last of rugby this afternoon, describing him as “an inspirational figure since he first joined the club as a young fellow and never more than in the recent win over Lansdowne”.

And he went on: “I readily admit that last Christmas I would have taken this play-off.”

Shannon have a definite edge in experience and playing the game at their home ground in Coonagh is another huge advantage. Nevertheless, the outcome will almost certainly be decided by the forward battle with Shannon out to deprive the fleet-footed UCD back line of quick possession.

There is massive responsibility on the shoulders of forwards like the second-row pair Fergal Walsh and Sean McCarthy (a nephew of Mick Galwey) and, of course, Horan, to make sure they keep the game tight and stay in the top flight.