O’Mahony gets surprise call-up for Munster A

Barry O’Mahony has been plucked from the relative obscurity of club rugby to fill the number seven position for Munster A in the British and Irish Cup semi-final clash with Leinster at the RDS this evening (6pm).

O’Mahony, a product of Crescent Comprehensive and Garryowen, is a former member of the Munster Academy who has since moved on to a career in finance. He is the current Clontarf and Irish Clubs’ captain. With Munster’s injury problems mounting and O’Mahony excelling, the dynamic number seven will join Paddy Butler and probably Billy Holland in the Munster back row.

Ian Nagle has recovered from injury and will form a second row partnership with Brian Hayes. Duncan Williams will probably fill the scrum half position depending on the availability of Conor Murray for the Heineken Cup quarter-final. JJ Hanrahan and Danny Barnes will likely form the midfield partnership.

Fionn Carr, Andrew Conway and David Kearney make up a lively Leinster back three, while up front the team will be led by Rhys Ruddock.

Damian Browne, returning from injury, partners former St Finian’s Mullingar second row Mark Flanagan&.

LEINSTER A: D Kearney, A Conway, B Macken, C O’Shea, F Carr, N Reid, L McGrath, J McGrath, A Dundon, M Moore, D Browne, M Flanagan, R Ruddock (capt), L Auva’a, D Ryan.

MUNSTER A: S Scanlon, L O’Dea, AN Other/D Barnes, JJ Hanrahan, I Dineen, S Deasy, AN Other; D Kilcoyne, S Henry , J Ryan; B Hayes, I Nagle; AN Other, B O’Mahony, P Butler.

* The second semi-final takes place tomorrow between Cornish Pirates and Cross Keys.