Champions wait on Halvey and subbed Quinlan

Medical matters preoccupy Shannon coach Pat Murray this week as he awaits news on the fitness of Irish international Eddie Halvey and Alan Quinlan prior to Sunday's AIB League Division One clash with Young Munster at Thomond Park. Murray's back row options are already reduced with the confirmation that Colm McMahon has dislocated a kneecap and will be out for at least four weeks.

Halvey sustained shoulder damage in the Limerick Charity Cup semi-final defeat by Garryowen last week. He was replaced in that match by Quinlan, who in turn hobbled off with an ankle injury, making it a costly exercise for the champions.

Wings John Lacey (shoulder) and Andrew Thompson (groin), who missed the Garryowen match, are expected to be fit for a traditionally wholesome Limerick derby.

Munsters have also delayed selection until a decision can be made on wings Niall McNamara and James Carey and centre Noel O'Meara. Number eight Declan Edwards is definitely out with an infected leg.

The previous day, two pretenders to Shannon's crown, Terenure College and Ballymena, clash at Lakelands. But neither side has selected. Terenure expect to have Shane Cullen back after a shoulder injury forced him to miss the Kitty O'Shea Championship final defeat by Lansdowne.

Ballymena may wait until after their seconds play in a junior cup final tomorrow night before finalising their line-up. Former under21 international Andy Park is causing concern with a hamstring problem.

St Mary's College were hoping to welcome back international wing John McWeeney, who has not played since pulling a hamstring against Terenure, but his return has been delayed by seven days. Ray McIlreavy and Barry Browne are both suffering from groin injuries, but Conor McGuinness, Emmet Byrne and Trevor Brennan are definitely out.

Opponents Old Crescent have delayed selection to facilitate second row Darragh Kirby (knee) and wing Fergus Walsh (hand).

For the first time this season Blackrock are not hampered by absentees. A international Brian Carey, Ulster centre Michael Jackson and Leinster under-20 centre David Quinlan are available after injury. Coach George Hook's only concern is wing Paddy Dunne who awaits a specialist's report on a facial injury.

Pat Ward's return to rugby is a welcome boost for the sport after sustaining a serious eye injury. He is one of two changes in the pack, the other marks the return of prop Peter McQuillan after suspension for the home game against Cork Constitution.

The composition of the back line has yet to be confirmed. Dolphin have full-back Colm MacCoitir and wing Barry O'Neill available after injury.

Meanwhile in Division Two, Skerries have made one change in personnel from the side that beat DLSP for the trip to Derry - Conor McNally replaces Eoin Donnelly at blind-side flanker. A positional switch allows Patsy Beggs and Clive Lawless to swop the full-back and wing positions.

Buccaneers are without props Jim Screene and Martin Whelehan for the game against Bective Rangers at Donnybrook. Screene is getting married while Whelehan has a fractured thumb. Des Dobson and the ageless Davy Henshaw deputise.