After their emphatic win over Terenure College last Saturday, 10th place Shannon now travel to Co.Carlow to take on the side that are three places below them. It will be something of a historic game as this is the first time that the parish club has travelled to Carlow to play at any level. Last season, while in full flight, Shannon recorded comfortable 44 points to 3 win against the Leinster team in Thomond Park. This time round, however, will be a much tougher test for the current champions. Having won their opening game against Terenure 26-12, Co.Carlow have slumped to two successive defeats at the hands of Buccaneers and Ballymena. A passionate and loyal support behind them at Oak Park and perhaps the added incentive of playing last seasons AIL winners, will certainly boast their chances.

For their part, Shannon travel with uncertainty in their squad. With Munster playing a warm-up game with Leinster on Friday, doubt remains over the availability of their contracted players. Marcus Horan is another uncertainty in the squad. From a club point of view it would be wonderful to see him add another cap to his collection, but if made available by the Irish management, he will most likely play some part on Sunday.

After missing last Saturday's game, both James Blaney and Eddie Halvey resumed training with Munster this week and Geoff Moylan will be hoping that they will be available for selection with their club. The return of John Lacey and Frankie Roche last week was a huge boost for Shannon, but once again Geoff Moylan will have to plan without the services of Brian Buckley whose recovery from pneumonia is taking longer than expected.

Taking account of all the doubt and uncertainty , Shannon will not name their side until just prior to kick-off on Sunday.

Shannon Squad

Tony Buckley, Gary Mc Namara, James Hickey, Nigel Conroy, James Blaney, Marcus Horan, Trevor Hogan, John Hadnett, Garrett Noonan, Colm McMahon, Eddie Halvey, David Quinlan (Capt), Tom Hayes, Micheal Galway, Frankie Roche, Mossy Lawler, John Lacey, Dougie Walters, David O'Donovon, Eoin Cahill, Andrew Thompson, Niall McNamara, David Delaney, Cormac O'Loughlin Fiach O'Loughlin.