Pusey’s return timely boost for Con and Munster

CORK CONSTITUTION and Munster have been given a timely boost with the return from injury of David Pusey.

The Australian has been sidelined for six months following a shoulder reconstruction and returns for Con in the AIB League clash with Galwegians at Temple Hill this afternoon (2.30).

Though Pusey has, by necessity, been replaced in the Munster squad by fellow Australian Tom Bowman and can play no part in the remaining pool games of the Heineken Cup, his return was welcomed by coach Alan Gaffney.

“He has worked tremendously hard to get back to full fitness. He has been doing a little bit of contact work with Munster over the last few weeks but this will be the first test in a match situation.

“I don’t know whether he will play the full game. He and the Con back room people will assess that as the game progresses, but it’s nice to see him back in action.”

Pusey is named in the team at blind side flanker, away from his normal position in the second row. Gaffney welcomed that as a sensible decision given the nature of the injury.

Now Gaffney is left to ponder on whether it will be possible to slot Pusey back into the Munster squad - he is entitled to add two more players to the European Cup squad before the knock-out stages.

For Constitution, it should prove a big boost as they bit to climb up the AIB League table. Currently in seventh spot with two wins from four games, they should expect to beat Galwegians on home turf.

The Galway side currently lie second from the bottom with just one win from the same number of games.

League leaders UCD are at home to Blackrock, while second-placed Garryowen take on Clontarf in Dublin. Shannon face the long journey to Belfast to meet Harlequins.

In division two, DLSP and Dolphin clash in a top of the table clash at Kilternan. Ballynahinch, in third spot, should pick up the points against bottom-placed Malone.

Another interesting division two tie today is that between Midleton and Young Munster at Towns Park.

Third division leaders Greystones have home advantage to City of Derry, who fill fifth position, while Clonakilty are away to Ards.

CORK CONSTITUTION: C O’Sullivan, P O’Brien, C Mahony, JV Igarza, C Healy, B Keeshan, P McCarthy, T Ryan, D Murray, J Danaher, J Moloney, S O’Connor, D Pusey, B O’Connor, B Cutriss.

UL BOHS (from): C Garvey, M McPhail, A Rees, J Leonard, C Finn, B O’Donnell, B Martin, D Fitzgerald, C O’Boyle, T Ellard, M Harty, K Flanagan, G Ryan, F Leonard, M Storey, R Loughney, B Madigan, A Hartigan, R Hartigan, J-E O’Connor, P Van Esbeck, AO’Gorman.