Henderson and Wallace set to make comebacks

THE presence of Rob Henderson in the Young Munster starting line-up against Greystones at Clifford Park and the likely introduction of David Wallace to the action during Garryowen’s clash with Belfast Harlequins at Dooradoyle adds considerable interest to this afternoon’s AIB League programme.

While there is no possibility of either Lion being available for the Celtic League final the following week, the news of their full recovery from serious shoulder and arm injuries is great news not just for Henderson and Wallace themselves but also for Munster coach Alan Gaffney.

He hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck where the availability of players has been concerned and now his options are appreciably greater with the return of a pair who of late have been making their mark as pundits for the BBC and RTÉ.

Young Munster hope Henderson will add the punch and penetration conspicuously missing from their performances all season and that he will reactivate their ailing promotion challenge at the expense of Greystones.

For now, though, the second division is led by Dolphin on 29 points by three from Old Crescent. Whereas Dolphin should continue on the right road against Dublin University at Musgrave Park, Crescent have it all to do against Malone in Belfast.

Garryowen desperately need a player of Wallace’s experience and power to revive their flagging fortunes but they are fielding a very youthful side against Harlequins. Either way, the business end of division one is being attended to across Limerick at Thomond Park, where table toppers Clontarf come in search of a second win at the venue this season. They beat Shannon there in early December and it would be quite a surprise if they failed to take the UL/Bohemian scalp on this occasion.

“Tarf” are six points clear of second-placed Ballymena, whose Eaton Park meeting with Shannon promises to be match of the day.

Shannon’s spirit remains unquenchable, a point graphically illustrated in recent times as they came back to pip Cork Constitution in a thriller and then crushed UCD with a much weakened side a couple of weeks ago.

An away win over Ballymena would really set the holders up to achieve their ambition of making it into the top four and their prospects are considerably enhanced by the inclusion in their travelling panel of Munster fringe players James Blaney, Eddie Halvey and Colm McMahon.

It won’t be easy, though, with Ballymena able to call upon a number of their contracted players now that Ulster will be idle for the foreseeable future. They have played only six games so far, one less than all the others excepting Cork Constitution, who should be good enough to take the points from their Belfield visit to UCD and push themselves back into the top half of the table.

The fact only one team will be relegated at the end of the campaign doesn’t make matters any less nerve-wracking for those in the danger zone. Terenure still prop up the table but Co Carlow are only two points better off so they will both be hoping for better things from their respective home games against Galwegians and Dungannon.

The big game in division three involves first and second placed Waterpark and Wanderers who meet at the latter’s Merrion Road ground. Waterpark’s revival this season has been welcome but Wanderers have also been making clear their intent of escaping from the bottom division. Instonians, another club who believe their tradition entitles them to a grander stage, will hope to keep in touch with a home win over Skerries.