DES DILLON INTERVIEW: JOHN O'SULLIVANhears how the former schools star is not one to ponder the 'what might have beens' of success and glory in the professional game as he focuses on tomorrow's AIB Cup final.

DES DILLON knows that any discourse on his rugby career will invariably include questions sprinkled with the words, "what", "if", "might", "could" and "should". It's not a method of chastisement but rather a case of seeking an explanation as to why at 28 years of age, he's captaining Blackrock College in tomorrow's AIB Cup final against Shannon at Dubarry Park rather than playing for Leinster against Munster at the RDS this evening.

It's important to offer some context to the inquiries. In 1998 Dillon led Clongowes to a Leinster Schools' Senior Cup victory. It was a team that included Gordon D'Arcy but ask anyone who played or watched schools rugby at that time and most will concede what a tremendous athlete Dillon was and how he dominated matches with his footballing skills as much as his physical size.

Underage representative honours followed as did spells with Connacht, Leinster and a short sojourn at the Ospreys and while he periodically offered cameos of his prodigious ability, they weren't consistent enough to sustain a professional career.

Surrounded by media at a photo call in Dublin during the week he shrugged off the enquiries by refusing to delve into the past, instead simply accepting what had come to pass. It's an understandable reaction as there is little profit in raking over things that can't be changed.

Dillon is more concerned about addressing things upon which he can impact, namely tomorrow's final at Dubarry Park. There won't be a forward on the pitch who has a better skill set and he could teach a few of the backs a thing or two about angles and offloading. The captaincy has given him responsibility and it's sharpened his focus.

The Carlow-born forward, though, prefers to redirect the bouquets in the direction of a couple of team-mates, Fionn Carr and Shane Byrne.

"Fionn has had a fantastic season. He's a great player, he's got a lot of the skills, he's got the speed and the stepping and he's very strong through tackles.

"As well as that he's our kicker this season and he's done incredibly well in that aspect.

"I think he's one of the top points scorers in the league this season." He is with 167 points.

And the former Lions, Ireland, Leinster and Saracens hooker Byrne isn't quite in his rugby dotage according to Dillon.

"Shane is another player who is having a fantastic year. He makes my job easier as captain. He's able to get the young lads going and he's an inspirational character, particularly in the frontrow. His lineout throwing is superb and it makes my job easier catching the ball.

"Off the park as well, the lads really look up to him, he's a great character. Fair play to him and hopefully he plays with us again next season."

He also paid tribute to the coaching team of Barry Gibney and Emmet Farrell in moulding what is essentially a young Blackrock side into a competitive team.

"The best thing about the two guys is they've been there and done that. Both of them have a lot of experience, having played a lot of rugby themselves before getting different injuries. Even Emmet still played with us until the start of this season.

"A lot of it (the team's progress) has to do with them and the coaches. They take a lot of gratitude from it and how the team has gone this season. It's a very difficult job to have and they've done very well."

Shannon's pedigree is obvious and they'll make for difficult opponents, even with the spate of injuries that is threatening to scupper their preparations. Top points scorer Andrew Thompson is definitely out, while there are other areas of concern, notably prop and centre.

Dillon still expects a typically robust challenge.

"Shannon, over the last couple of years, have been one of the best teams at performing in cup finals.

"It's going to be a very difficult job for us, but we're looking forward to giving them a good challenge and putting up a good fight and hopefully we'll turn them over."

If they do then expect the Blackrock captain to be a central player in that effort.