All-Ireland League: In 2003, some residue remained from the traditional feeder system, so it was hardly surprising when Ballymena packed their team with 12 Ulster players for the final to beat what was without doubt the best team in the regular season.
Shannon v Clontarf Lansdowne Road, 4.0 On TV: RTE2
Clontarf produced a brave performance but the pace and physicality of the professionals won out. It finished 28-18.
Five Clontarf starters, including captain Johnny Wickham, carry the scars from the biggest day in the club's history. They have made it back to the semi-finals twice only to have their dreams extinguished by Shannon in Thomond Park.
Munster have a free weekend so Mossie Lawlor and Trevor Hogan should play some part but the availability of Stephen Keogh comes down to Declan Kidney.
Leinster are in the Millennium Stadium tomorrow - a week earlier than planned - so Clontarf do not have the luxury of selecting Bernard Jackman, though Johnny Hepworth and Ben Gissing should feature.
The availability of provincial players makes no difference to coach Phil Werahiko as he has always focused on the players that turn up to training. This is the third Clontarf team the Kiwi has rebuilt. "Everyone at the club is smarter from being involved three years ago. The team wouldn't have the same individually recognised players of the previous team that made the final but they have proved in games against Con, Garryowen and Shannon this season that they can compete with the best."
Thumping Shannon in the league (32-18) is fine but repeating it today is the real challenge. Just ask league winners Garryowen, who were beaten at the death last week. Highway robbery?
"No," said Shannon captain Colm McMahon. "I thought it was pretty much an even game all the way through and I would suggest before they got their penalty to go ahead there was a maul we might have got a penalty from.
"I think we just tipped the balance and deserved our win. They probably feel we robbed them but I feel we just pipped them."
Shannon have the rare ability to snaffle restarts when they need a counter score. The current crop of forwards carry an intimidating legacy quite comfortably. Outside, Eoin Cahill ensures opposing defences must also beware. James Downey versus Cahill will be a mouthwatering collision.
Dave Delaney has the nerve to kick his goals but if the game opens up - this sounds like a preview for the recent European Cup semi-final - then Clontarf can prevail. They have been breaking the whitewash for fun this season with wingers Derek Keane and Niall O'Brien combining for 23 tries. Rotherham-bound Brian Tuohy tops the Shannon hot-shot list with seven.
It comes down to a Leinster club against a Munster club at Lansdowne Road. Very recent history insists we go for the Southern boys. Expect to see Frankie O'Flynn rolled out around 6pm for yet another rendition of There is an Isle on the steps of the West Stand.
CLONTARF: D O'Shea; N O'Brien, M Hewitt, J Downey, D Keane; P O'Brien, F O'Loughlin; J Wickham, N Carson, R Sweeney; A Tremier, A Wood; J Ellison, D O'Brien, P Purdue.
SHANNON: (probable): D O'Donovan; P O'Connor, A Thompson, E Cahill, B Tuohy; D Delaney, F McNamara; L Hogan, S Cronin, G McNamara; T Hogan, P O'Brien; C McMahon, J O'Connor, D Ryan.
Referee: A Rolland
