Garryowen can expect no quarter to be given

YOUNG MUNSTER coach Tony Grant said yesterday that his side will go into the Insurance Corporation All Ireland League match against Garryowen at Dooradoyle on Saturday as determined to win the game as they would be were the title at stake for the club.

This match will decide the first division championship, which now rests between Garryowen and Shannon, who are level at the top of the table. Shannon (with their programme completed) have the superior points difference, so Garryowen need a win or a draw from their final fixture to take the title.

Grant said: "We owe it to the game, to ourselves and to both clubs who can win the title to approach this match with a total desire and commitment to winning it. We want to get a top three finish in the league. There is, too, another factor. We meet Garryowen again in the Munster Cup the following week and going into that tie with a win would be a big psychological boost."

While the drama is unfolding at Dooradoyle, Shannon will be engaged in a Munster Senior Cup quarter final against UCC at Musgrave Park. Ordinarily Munster Cup ties have a 3.30 kick off but at Shannon's request, the game at Musgrave Park will start at 2.30, the same time as the league decider. Shannon feel a 3.30 kick off would be a distraction for their players who would obviously be taking the field knowing bow matters stood in the league match (which is being televised live).

"We want to go into the match against UCC totally focused on the cup tie," said Shannon captain Pat Murray. "We will concern ourselves with what happened at Dooradoyle afterwards."

Garryowen have named an unchanged side from the team that defeated St Mary's last Saturday. But full back Dan Larkin is very doubtful because of a leg injury sustained in that match. If he is ruled out. Kenny Smith may be switched from wing to full back with either Conor Kilroy or Derek Costelloe coming in on the wing.

Young Munster await fitness reports on scrum half Derek Tobin (damaged thumb), second row Denis O'Meara (back trouble), flanker Des Clohessy (arm injury) and flanker Ge Earls (shoulder). It is extremely unlikely that Tobin will be fit. If O'Meara is unable to play, Dermot Fitzgerald could come into the second row. Ian Dillon and Anthony O'Herlihy represent options in the back row for Clohessy and Earls.

St Mary's and Cork Constitution meet in the remaining first division game at Templeville Road on Saturday. Both delay selection and neither will be at full strength. St Mary's will definitely be without international number eight Victor Costello: following the head injury he suffered last Saturday.

Constitution's international outside half Paul Burke is also ruled out following the leg injury he sustained against Old Belvedere. Out, too, is flanker David Corkey who is unlikely to play again this season because of a pelvic injury. Burke has been approached by English first division league club Bristol to play for them next season. His clubmate Corkery is also due to join Bristol, but has not yet signed the relevant contract.

Shannon expect to be unchanged for that Munster Cup match against UCC, who earned promotion and the Dudley Cup by defeating UCD last Saturday.

Greystones will be unchanged for their Leinster Cup tie against Old Belvedere on Sunday but Belvedere delay selection. They had three players injured in the league match against Constitution - Kevin Spicer, Mick Carswell and Neil Francis.

. Arrangements are being put, in place to run peace trains from Limerick, Cork, Galway and Belfast to Dublin for the Ireland Barbarians match at Lansdowne Road on May 18th.