Finals Countdown: Clontarf v Shannon Stats

As the build-up to Saturday’s AIB League finals continues, rugby statistician Des Daly takes a look at some pointers for the Division One decider between Clontarf and Shannon.

…AIB Sponsorship Manager Jim Kelly poses with the Division One trophy and the teams’ respective captains Johnny Wickham (Clontarf) and Colm McMahon (Shannon) at AIB headquarters in Ballsbridge…

As the build-up to Saturday’s AIB League finals continues, rugby statistician Des Daly takes a look at some pointers for the Division One decider between Clontarf and Shannon.

* Last five AIB League games this season: Clontarf: WWWWW; Shannon: LWWWW

* The regulation AIB League fixture between the two clubs this season took place on Saturday, January 21 last at Castle Avenue. The result was 32-18 in Clontarf’s favour.

* Clontarf beat Cork Constitution 26-6 to win through to the final. Shannon got the better of Garryowen, winning 21-20.

* Beginning in the 1977/98 season, the two clubs have played 11 AIB League games against each other – with the Limerick men currently leading 9-2.

* Clontarf have lost twice before to Shannon at the semi-final stage – both games were staged in Limerick.

* Clontarf play in their second final – in 2003, they lost the Division One decider to Ballymena (28-18).

* Shannon are on a hat-trick of Championship wins – they have won the title seven times since the League’s inception in 1990/91.

…Clontarf captain Johnny Wickham and Shannon skipper Colm McMahon in flying form at the AIB league finals photocall…

* Shannon have made the final for the fourth time in five seasons and have won the title four times in the last nine seasons.

* Shannon have won all nine play-off matches that they have contested and are competin on finals day for the fifth time since 1998.

* A Munster club graces Division One final for the seventh time in nine seasons – a Leinster club for the third seasons in nine.

* Only three of the nine Division One table-toppers at the end of the regulation season have been crowned champions in the following weeks.

* There have been no previous Leinster club v Munster club Division One finals.

* Saturday’s game sees an Irish coach – Mick Galwey of Shannon – go head-to-head against a New Zealander – Clontarf coach Phil Werahiko.

* Shannon won the title four times in the 1990s and on Saturday they are seeking their fourth title since the turn of the century.