Few would doubt that Shannon's Marcus Horan has been on his way for some time now. The loose-head prop who played for the Irish under-21 side for the last two seasons with great credit, is also proving to be invaluable to his club's cause of regaining the All Ireland League title.

A mobile front-rower who is also an extremely good ball carrier, Horan is currently serving his apprenticeship with Munster colleague Peter Clohessy, from whom he is obviously learning well. Not totally the pupil, however, "The Claw" can feel the warm breath of Horan breathing down his neck.