Young Munster could justifiably harbour a persecution complex with regard to their fate in the Munster Senior Cup in the 1990s. Since their last triumph eight years ago, Young Munster have contested every final, with the exception of 1996, losing on every occasion. Losers medals are two-a-penny-down at Tom Clifford Park.
On Saturday Young Munster will contest another final against heavily favoured Shannon, four time All-Ireland League champions, bidding for another double to go with the brace of trophies they won in 1996.
Young Munster's captain Ger Earls concedes that the club's losing sequence is something at which the players themselves laugh, until that is, the competition looms on the horizon. Then the emphasis shifts towards putting themselves in a position to redress the statistical imbalance.
Having once again managed to make the final, Earls insists that the players genuinely believe that this year can be different. "There are guys within the team who are getting on and know that this might be a final opportunity. They desperately want a Munster Senior Cup winners' medal, as many have an All-Ireland League one.
"I think that only myself and Peter Clohessy of the present team have one. The other guys want to give this a good go. We are aware that Shannon are the top team in the country but when you are up there, you are there to be knocked."
Earls can outline the harsh reality of losing to some of the younger graduates of the team. "It's something that you could never get used to. It hurts as much every time." The inspirational flanker has been on the losing side six times, missing out on the other occasion because of suspension.
Young Munster will be without the recently retired former captain and current manager, John `Paco' Fitzgerald, a man known for his stirring team talks, who is currently sipping Sangria in Spain. Better news is the suggestion that flanker Brian Buckley is likely to recover from a thumb injury in time for the game. A decision will not be taken until tomorrow at the earliest.
Opponents Shannon have also delayed selection, awaiting medical reports on minor injuries to John Hayes, Mick Galwey and Anthony Foley: all are expected to play.
Meanwhile Skerries have announced an unchanged team from that which defeated Terenure College 21-7 for their Heineken Leinster Senior Cup Final clash with Lansdowne at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. Tony Giles and David O'Sullivan, both of whom were replaced last Saturday, will start the match.
Skerries: P Beggs; C Lawless, Dermot O'Sullivan, G Earley, E Caraher; J Dempsey, A O'Sullivan; J Horan, B Mulcahy, J O'Reilly; T Giles, S Gilbride; E Darcy, B Higgins, David O'Sullivan.
Rising Kelso star Iain Fairley was yesterday celebrating a late call-up into Scotland's squad for the forthcoming tour of Fiji and Australia after replacing the injury-stricken Andy Nicol. The versatile 24-year-old has been in outstanding form at centre for his club in recent months after switching from scrum-half, but will go as a third number nine behind Bryan Redpath and Graeme Burns.
Fairley must now decide whether to play in Kelso's Premiership Division One play-off with Heriot's FP on Saturday, 48 hours before the party are due to depart down under.
