Shannon will play next Saturday's All-Ireland League Division One clash against Lansdowne at Clanwilliam. This decision follows a meeting with the IRFU concerning the condition of the Thomond Park pitch. Members of the Shannon executive met with IRFU representative John Quilligan in Limerick and it was decided that the former Munster Branch venue was still unplayable.
Shannon secretary Frank McNamara explained: "We met with John Quilligan and it was agreed that the remedial work on the pitch was not complete and therefore that the pitch was unplayable. Given that was the case yesterday we had an understanding with the IRFU that the pitch would not be playable by the weekend.
"We have had a contingency plan in mind for some time and that was to move the match to Clanwilliam, on the Limerick side of Tipperary Town. Two of our players, Alan Quinlan and John Lacey, are from that area and I know that they are excited at the prospect of staging at match there. The infrastructure is good, the pitch has a good firm surface and the facilities are there to cater for a big crowd."
A further meeting between the IRFU and Shannon is scheduled for next Monday.
