RUGBY: It's a club driven by excellence, the trophy cabinet reflecting a proud tradition in AIB League rugby. For those donning the Shannon first team colours there is the legacy of the four championships in a row and for this year's squad, coping with the mantle of defending champions.

Last Saturday, Shannon travelled to Templeville Road decimated by injury but came tantalisingly close to conjuring an unlikely victory. They returned home with a bonus point (losing by less than seven points, 26-21) and the knowledge they had played well against a St Mary's College team that will be strong contenders to make the season-ending play-offs.

Nevertheless, the frustration was palpable. Captain and number eight David Quinlan explained: "After the match we were disappointed, aware that while we came so close, really just needed a bounce of the ball to go our way, we had made too many silly errors.

"Mary's are a good side and we certainly didn't underestimate their qualities but there were things that were within our own control and in that respect, there were too many basic errors and turnovers. We lost a lot of ball in the line-out, an area in which we were very good last season."

When coach Geoff Moylan took the squad away to Dingle three weeks ago to prepare for the new season, he asked the players to set their own goals and the collective response was an undertaking to secure a place in the play-offs. There is no question of Shannon's young squad being sated by last season's success.

"It's not as if we have won it two or three years in succession. This is a young team and there is no way they are happy with one league. If you look at the squad that won four in-a-row, it made a lot of players in terms of their representative careers.

That is an obvious incentive, to be the best around. There are not many guys left from that era so we have to look at what we can achieve. The hunger for success hasn't diminished."

The fractured nature of the league format, where games come in twos or clusters of three, is far from ideal but Quinlan is philosophical. "It's a hindrance and a help. If things are going well and a team is settled and winning then you don't want any disruptions. But a break of two or three weeks can help a club address and fix problems."

He is adamant the clubs who have fewer representative players benefit from consistency of selection. Shannon's success last year with a young team, largely without their contracted players, was a classic example.

On a personal level, Quinlan, who celebrates his 25th birthday in January, is no longer distracted by representative ambitions, despite being one of the best club players in the last three years. "I think for a couple of seasons, I was disappointed not to have earned that recognition. Last season I gave a commitment to the club and that was my priority. I played against Connacht earlier this season but that is the only involvement I have had. In fairness, I can understand being overlooked because all you have to do is look at the talent available in the backrow.

"Denis Leamy's form is a great example. He is a very good young player."

Quinlan's responsibilities with Shannon dominate his schedule and tomorrow is uppermost in his mind. "We have a tough game against Galwegians at Thomond Park, particularly as they should have most of their representative players available."

Shannon's injury list remains a long one but Quinlan is far from disconcerted. Winning the hard way will make the victory all the more enjoyable and offer a confidence boost for the more pressure-laden days ahead.