Munster boost as Cussen set for final battle

MICHAEL CUSSEN looks set to feature for Munster in Saturday night’s Martin Donnelly Interprovincial Senior Football final in Portlaoise against Connacht, despite being involved with Sarsfields in the first round of the Munster Club SHC on Sunday.

Cussen played at full-forward for his province in Saturday’s semi-final win over Ulster but there had been doubts over his availability this weekend due to the Cork SHC champions clash with their Clare counterparts Clonlara. Munster manager Gerard O’Sullivan revealed: “At this stage it looks like he will travel with us and will be able to partake in the game. It’s a huge boost for us as we are short players in the forward department.”

Kerry corner-back Pádraig Reidy will also link up with the side after playing a club match on Saturday afternoon. Reidy lines out for Scartglen in the East Kerry SFC (O’Donoghue Cup) semi-final before joining O’Sullivan’s squad. Munster also welcome back Tipperary defender Robbie Costigan to their panel as he was tied up until last weekend with his club Cahir, who lost last Sunday’s Tipperary SFC Final. Waterford’s Gary Hurney is still absent due to Abbeyside’s county SHC semi-final replay on Sunday and Cork defender Ger Spillane is sidelined through injury.