O’Connell, Horgan return to AIL action
O'Connell is due to line out for Young Munster in a crunch Division Two clash against high-flying Dolphin at Musgrave Park, while Horgan hopes to be back for Cork Constitution in an important first division tie against County Carlow at Temple Hill.
The Young Munster second row has recovered from a broken thumb while Horgan (hamstring) proved he had put a dismal run of injuries behind him when he lined out for Con in their Munster Senior Cup tie against
Sunday's Well last weekend.
"I was happy with the way it went personally. I scored a try and managed to stay on my feet for the full game, extra time included.
"Thankfully I got through the game without a problem and hopefully the bad injuries are behind me. I've had just about enough of these problems in the last 12 months to last me a lifetime," said Horgan yesterday.
The Munster wing also hopes he can contribute to Constitution's late charge for a semi-final spot. "There must still be a reasonable outside chance that Con can qualify, but we will have to pull a few victories out in the run-in to even have that chance. We need those wins and we also need bonus points to give us that opportunity."
One the few fixtures which cast in stone, since the inception of the All Ireland League is that of Shannon and Garryowen games have always captured the imagination and today's game will be no exception when the sides meet for the 14th time. Shannon have nine win to Garryowen's four.
Realistically, only one team is in contention for a top four spot and Garryowen's desire to eliminate their fierce rivals from the shake-up is sure to be in evidence.
Shannon go into the game not having taken the field for five weeks due to the recent postponement of their game against Blackrock.
That game has been rescheduled for March 29 but, of course, Shannon will be without a number of their top players because it is on the eve of the Ireland v England game.
However, Eddie Halvey is likely to come into the side for today's game and Shannon will field a strong side, although it won't include the recently elevated international Marcus Horan.
The back five of the scrum will pose a major dilemma for coach Geoffrey Moylan. Alan Quinlan is included in the squad and will almost certainly make the team, but Moylan will have to pick three from four, with Tom Hayes and captain David Quinlan also in the possible line up.
It is much the same situation in the second row when Moylan will be forced into picking two from Mick Galwey, Trevor Hogan and Brian Buckley.
The backline is very much a settled unit, with Fiach O'Loughlin and Niall Mc Namara filling the halfback pairing.
Eoin Cahill and
Andrew Thompson are almost sure to start in the centres, with the proficient Thompson aiming to accumulate 100 AIB League points for the fourth time in his
Shannon career.
Garryowen will relish the challenge but they will be without David Wallace, whose comeback has been put on hold after another this time a less serious shoulder operation.
Garryowen are, by their own standards, having a mixed season, and have had problems in recent weeks.
Shannon's won last year's encounter but Moylan believes past results count for nothing in the heated atmosphere of a local derby.
Blackrock College have been able to announce a strong team, including Leo Cullen, for their big match with UCD.
The side also includes former schools star John Hearty a recent
candidate in the rugby sector for the Irish Examiner Junior Sports Star Awards. The nomination was eventually won by St Mary's College schools centre Stephen Grissing.
As the AIL reaches a critical stage UL Bohs urgently require points. In an attempt to move away from the
relegation trapdoor, coach Mike Tewkesbury has gone for a young team to take on the mighty challenge of Ballymena.
Tewkesbury believes it important that his side focus on the fine displays against league leaders Clontarf and Buccaneers rather than fear the
unbeaten home record of the northern side.
Fullback Cathal Garvey, 20, was a member of this year's Munster championship-winning U21 side, while Keith Matthews has been starring for the unbeaten Irish U21 team.
Barry Murphy, Keith's fellow international centre, took a knock against France last Friday and was not considered.
The usual halfback pairing of
Dominic Malone, European Cup winner with Northampton, and leading club scorer Ian Costello, will expect another major test like the last outing when they came up against Ronan O'Gara and Brian O'Meara.
In the back row, Philip van Esbeck, retains his place after a scoring debut against Cork Con, while James O'Neill moves to No 8 in place of the injured Anthony Hartigan.
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