Head-To-Head: The battle at out-half

Barry Everitt (Garryowen)

Background: Educated at St Munchin's and Limerick and Waterford Regional Technical Colleges, though came through the junior ranks with the Nenagh under-16 and under-18 sides. There he played at scrum-half, later playing at out-half on the Garryowen under-20s and both centre and out-half in the league and cup for Garryowen last season.

Has also played wing, all of which gives him a better understanding of the game than many orthodox out-halves and played in Australia last summer for a university club in Brisbane. This, effectively, is his first full season at out-half, where he has played for the Irish under-21s and A side.

Strengths: Has it all really, great handling skills as you'd expect from such a varied and educational playing background. Takes the ball flat and is a genuinely quick and elusive runner as he showed on a couple of occasions with his cool-as-a-cucumber, try-scoring debut for the Irish A side in Richmond last month.

Weaknesses: Doesn't have an exceptional physical presence and lacks the Galvin-like savvy which only experience will bring. "Do The Brilliant Thing" would more likely be his motto, but clearly learning, as evidenced by the varied and shrewd control he showed against Young Munster.

Prospects: In a rich vein of form and has ability to create holes in Shannon's peerless defence. "I'll have my hands full. He's a nice runner and not afraid to try things," admits the admiring Galvin. "He's definitely one for the future. Along with Ronan O'Gara, he's the pick of the young out-halves in the country."

Jim Galvin

(Shannon)

Background: Started as a full-back with St Munchin's, playing at centre for Munster Schools, and also played in goal for the Limerick hurling team at every level (winning an All-Ireland minor medal in 1984 at the age of 17) before eventually concentrating on rugby and converting to an outhalf at Old Crescent.

Joined Shannon during the 1991-92 season, winning the first of three Munster Cup medals with them that season. Scored winning drop goal against Wallabies as sub the following season, nailing down provincial number 10 jersey in 1993/94 before arrival of Paul Burke. Once an uncapped sub for Ireland against Australia in 1992, and has won three AIL medals with Shannon.

Strengths: A cool head. Excellent decision-maker, always liable to take the right option or come up with a drop goal or try of his own at a critical moment. Good tactical kicker and rarely seems to get tackled himself or have to make tackles, though a good cover tackler. Motto: "Always Do The Right Thing".

Weaknesses: Reared on the 10-man game, and so has always tended to play the game in the pocket and spiral the ball downfield given that was Crescent's style and until recently Shannon's. Can over-do the kicking game on occasion, though, if anything, his game has evolved further this season with the arrival of Rhys Ellison providing more tactical nous, not to mention a guaranteed ball recycler over the gain-line on his outside as well as his inside.

Prospects: One of Shannon's six or seven potential match-winners. Considering retirement at season's end, though at 31 that would be premature and he could yet be the guiding hand and boot for Shannon for a few more years yet.