IF CLARE hurling was haunted by the curse of Biddy Earley for years, one wonders what external forces are contriving to deprive Munster of European Cup success.

Christian Cullen returns to the Munster starting line-up for the first time in over a year after being named as full back on the Munster side for the Celtic League game against Border Reivers in Netherdale on Friday.

A MUNSTER team hell bent on making amends for one of their worst performances in the last ten years can be expected to retain their position as Celtic League leaders after this afternoon’s (3.30, Setanta Sports) clash with Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park.

Shannon 16 Cork Constitution 11

IF Mossie Lawlor makes a decent contribution to Munster’s Heineken Cup challenge at Rodney Parade today (1pm), Declan Kidney will send a message of thanks to Shannon.

JEREMY Manning, Munster’s highly promising New Zealander, is handed an opportunity of establishing himself as a regular in the side with his selection at full-back for tonight’s (7.10pm) eagerly awaited Celtic League clash with Ulster at Musgrave Park.

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney has named flanker David Wallace on the right wing for tonight's Celtic League opener against Border Reivers at Thomond Park (7.10pm).

LEO CULLEN’S life with the Leicester Tigers isn’t much different from the one he left behind in Leinster.

THE ATMOSPHERE was much lighter than it would have been if Saturday’s Celtic Cup final against Llanelli Scarlets was, for instance, a Heineken Cup game.

SHANNON coach Mick Galwey and his squad have spent hours watching video clips of Belfast Harlequins in action against Garryowen in last week’s AIB League semi-final.

Shannon 42 UCD 13

SHANNON have a long injury list ahead of the AIB League division one top-of-the-table clash with Garryowen at Thomond Park tomorrow.

ALAN GAFFNEY has expressed his support for the 10-week pre-season afforded to international players.

Munster 27, Connacht 27

JOHN KELLY and Jason Holland are back in action for Munster against Connacht at Musgrave Park on Saturday night.

Shannon 22 Cork Constitution 16

Cork Con 16 Shannon 22

RIVAL coaches Brian Walsh of Cork Constitution and Geoff Moylan of Shannon are waiting until this morning to finalise their sides for today’s AIB League Division One final at Lansdowne Road.

ANDREW THOMPSON, one of the three “old men” in the Shannon team, remains one of the most formidable forces in the club game in this country.

JOINT AIB League favourites Cork Constitution and Shannon waited anxiously last night for the outcome of Munster’s Celtic League clash with Cardiff.

Cork Constitution will be slight favourites to beat Buccaneers in the All-Ireland League semi-final at Temple Hill on Saturday.

CHRISTIAN CULLEN'S Munster debut will ensure a huge attendance at Musgrave Park tonight (kick-off 7.35) for the visit of the Welsh Ospreys in the Celtic League.

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney has two lists of names written on a notice board at his Thomond Park office to remind him of the current predicament he finds himself in.

Lansdowne will wait on the fitness of backs Brian O'Mahony, Karl Becker and Killian Kennedy and openside Liam Toland before settling on the side to face St Mary's College at Templeville Road.