O’Leary back for Dolphin’s clash with old foes Con

TOMÁS O’LEARY will make a rare appearance for Dolphin when his club meets arch local rivals Cork Constitution in the Ulster Bank League at Musgrave Park tonight (7.30pm), one of three Friday night fixtures.

The availability of O’Leary, who finally appears to have shaken off a long-running back injury, will be seen as both a boost to the club and to Munster, who have been waiting patiently for the Irish international to recover from the troublesome problem.

Certainly, Dolphin will be hoping that O’Leary’s experience will help drive them to victory, given the rather youthful look about the team. In any event coach Steve Ford believes Friday night rugby can prove a real occasion.

“I believe it’s the way forward,” he said.

“Certainly it’s good to have these matches under lights as often as possible; from our point of view, Tomás’s availability is a big boost. We have a damn good squad and so have Con so it has the makings of a great game.

“We’re looking forward to the occasion and I hope the fans are too.”

The rivalry between these two clubs was never as evident as last season when each team won their away matches in the head-to-head.

So far, the clubs have won and lost matches and Ford believes his side should have won their opening game against Shannon.

“Yeah, we should have got more than a bonus point, and we beat Blackrock, so it hasn’t been too bad. But this is a big one; neither of us can afford to lose again this early in the league.”

Constitution will likely have Munster squad members Simon Zebo and Ian Nagle in action. With O’Leary also in action, Ford hopes this will help bring the supporters out in force.

The fact Musgrave Park can now accommodate up to 3,000 fans in the new covered stand will also make it more comfortable for the supporters, who will be further facilitated by the availability of a pre-match meal. A charity kicking competition will feature Munster star Doug Howlett, Cork ladies Gaelic football star Rena Buckley and former All Star footballer Jimmy Kerrigan amongst others.

The competition receives a Dublin kick-start with the first ever club game at the Aviva Stadium featuring recently promoted hosts Lansdowne in action against reigning champions Old Belvedere (7.30pm). Entrance to the ground is on the East Stand side, Section 0. This match will also be streamed live on www.IrishRugby.ie.

The all-Ulster Division 1B clash between Dungannon and Ballynahinch takes place in Stevenson Park tonight, with the home side desperately seeking to make up ground on unbeaten leaders Ballynahinch.