McGahan faces dilemma as Munster stars get Ireland’s call

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan must feel like a man trying to play poker with the aces removed from the deck this morning, following yesterday’s selection of the Ireland team to play New Zealand on Saturday.

As expected, Irish supremo Declan Kidney has done his former employers Munster few favours ahead of their historic clash with the All Blacks next Tuesday, naming 11 Munster men in the Ireland 22 for the Croke Park showdown.

While McGahan knew he was certain to lose front-line players such as Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell, the selection of three Munster players — front-rowers Tony Buckley and Jerry Flannery, plus sensational utility back Keith Earls — on the bench may provide the biggest headache.