BANK HOLIDAYS tend to have a significant effect on team selections at the best of times on this occasion, however, it appears to have all but wiped out those cheery Monday night sessions all round the country. In the vast majority of cases, the deliberations of those who know best have been delayed by 24 hours.

The exceptions in the third division include Skerries - who now find themselves in the promotion zone thanks to the recent league restructuring - and UCD, who have also benefitted from the new order.

Tight head Joe O'Reilly, who took over from the injured John Horan in the Skerries front row at the close of the first phase of the league, continues in that position for the long trip to Derry. Otherwise the Skerries team is along familiar lines.

UCD, meanwhile, introduce a new league pairing at half-back in Derek Hegarty and Jack Donaghy for the visit to Belfield of Waterpark.

League title holders, Shannon, will have Conor McDermott in the side for the first time this season against Ballymena. He is named in the centre, having recovered from the injuries he sustained on the tour of Canada. Andrew Thompson is moved to the wing so there is no place for Niall O'Shea. With Eddie Halvey gone to Saracens, former international Mick Fitzgibbon is called in to the back row.