Buddha bows out

Noel `Buddha' Healy played his final game for Shannon at Thomond Park on Saturday. The 40-something prop was made a captain for the day and enjoyed leading out Shannon for their AIB League Division One clash with Clontarf. It proved to be a very successful afternoon and Healy can retire knowing that he possesses a 100 per cent success-rate as Shannon captain. One of the game's characters, this column is pretty sure he won't wander too far from the dressing-room door.