Shannon coach Pat Murray must sometimes rue the presence of so many internationals in his squad. Only 14 players were present at training on Tuesday because of the absence of the senior and A internationals - not surprisingly, they have deferred naming a team.
Right wing John O'Neill is still troubled by injury and hooker and captain Mark McDermott is still bothered by a hamstring. The expectation is that the international contingent will return untroubled by minor bumps and bruises for tonight's session.
Opponents Terenure College have offered 17 names, one extra back and an additional forward. International full back Girvan Dempsey returns having missed the victory over Dungannon with a broken nose. David Lynagh has a hand injury and must be considered doubtful. The composition of the back five in the pack is also up for discussion.
Ballymena have outlined a probable XV. Long-term injury victim Stanley McDowell confirmed his rehabilitation by coming on against Shannon the last day. Although not named in the starting team he is likely to play some part. International wing James Topping is also set to return to competitive fare. He is taking a full part in training and should make an appearance against Young Munster.
Buccaneers welcome back Steve McIvor, the scrumhalf having patched up differences with coach Brian Rigney. Owen Cobbe reverts to the centre alongside Mel Deane. Eoin Brennan's broken ankle has forced a reshuffle in the backrow with captain Martin Steffert moving to openside and Colm Rigney being employed at number eight, fitness permitting.
Ireland A prop Jimmy Screene is sidelined with a calf injury while Gavin Webster, fit again after an eight-week absence, will start on the bench. Clontarf are unchanged for Sunday's short trip to Templeville Road.
In Division Two, Blackrock have named a panel of 19 players, minus internationals Robert Casey and Brian O'Driscoll. Old Belvedere have left a vacancy at full back for their trip to Galwegians. Firstchoice players Aidan O'Shea, Colm Gleeson, Donal Martin, Hugh McDonnell, John Logan, Steve Walsh and Tom Murphy were not available.
Buccaneers: C Kilroy; M Devine, O Cobbe, M Deane, R Lee; S Allnutt, S McIvor; J Maher, J McVeigh, M Cahill; Donal Rigney, B Keady; Des Rigney, C Rigney, M Steffert.
Ballymena (probable): S Mason; J Park, S Stewart, R Botha, J Wells; S Broughton, M Edwards; N McKernan, A Stewart, C Millar; G Longwell, M Blair; A Graham, D O'Cuinneagain, D Topping.
Clontarf: O Winchester; A Reddan, D McElligott, C Bewley, D Rossi; R Murphy, R O'Reilly; W O'Kelly, D Hyland, T Kearns; D Moore, C Power; A Dignam, C Brownlie, P Ward.
Terenure: (backs from) G Dempsey, D Coleman, M O'Kelly, M Smyth, D Lynagh, S Cullen, R Governey, D Hegarty. (forwards from): S Barretto, J Blaney, J Campbell; R Sheriff, D Quinn, C Potts; P O'Malley, E Miller, B Kavanagh.
Old Belvedere: A N Other; R Brown, R Monaghan, D Schmude, G Rossi; A Dunne, S Keogh; T Mannix, A Ronan, R Keane; M Henderson, A Briscoe; I Henderson, D Cassidy, M McLoughlin.
Blackrock: T Keating, M Price, M Jackson, D Quinlan, D Johnson, E Farrell, J Ferris, J Woods, N O'Donovan, I McLaughlin, S Byrne, A McSweeney, G McEvoy, N Treston, L Cullen, H Kos, F O'Beirne, R Rogers, G McCarthy.
Carlow: M Waterhouse; M Buckley, M Henry, R O'Donnell, I Dwyer; P Jones, L Peavoy; P Brennan, C Gee, L Hannon; L O'Byrne, G Murray; D Cox, A Melville, D Hyland.
