Strong Munster A Side For Donnybrook Clash

Peter Malone has named a very strong Munster A side for tomorrow’s B&I Cup quarter-final against current holders Leinster A in Donnybrook (ko 7pm).

Malone’s side will be looking for a reversal of the semi-final result last season when Leinster A beat Munster A 17-15 at Dooradoyle.

Paddy Butler and Billy Holland both start for Munster A and there are two sets of the brothers in the first XV; flanker Barry O’Mahony captains the side with brother Ronan at full-back and Niall Scannell starts at hooker with Rory Scannell at out-half.

Ronan O’Mahony will be looking to add to his six tries in six B&I Cup appearances so far this season as Andrew Conway and Luke O’Dea start on the wings. Ivan Dineen and Cian Bohane form the centre partnership and Rory Scannell is joined in the half-backs by Gerry Hurley.

Academy loose-head prop Niall Horan starts in the front-row with hooker Niall Scannell and Dolphin tight-head Brian Scott. There’s a good blend of youth and experience in the back-row with Billy Holland partnering academy player Darren O’Shea.

Barry O’Mahony captains the side from the back row and he’s joined by the experienced Butler, who makes his second B&I Cup appearance of the season, and academy player Shane Buckley.

Young Munster hooker Ger Slattery, who scored two tries against Zebre in the PRO12 in February, starts on the bench. The other six replacements are all members of the Greencore Munster academy. Cork Con prop Rory Burke, Shannon lock Sean McCarthy and UL Bohemians’ back-row Jack O’Donoghue complete the forward cover.

Young Munster scrum-half Brian Haugh, UL Bohemians’ back three player David Johnston and Cork Con centre Niall Kenneally will all be hoping to make an impact.

It’s the first involvement in a B&I Cup squad for Burke, Johnston and McCarthy – who has endured an injury-hit season.

Out-half Johnny Holland misses out as he follows IRB return-to-play protocols after his concussion against Connacht Eagles last month.

Munster A team to face Leinster A in the B&I Cup quarter-final at Donnybrook tomorrow night (ko 7pm).
Ronan O'Mahony; Andrew Conway, Cian Bohane, Ivan Dineen, Luke O'Dea; Rory Scannell, Gerry Hurley; Niall Horan, Niall Scannell, Brian Scott; Darren O'Shea, Billy Holland; Shane Buckley, Barry O'Mahony (Capt), Paddy Butler. Replacements: Ger Slattery, Rory Burke, Sean McCarthy, Jack O'Donoghue, Brian Haugh, David Johnston, Niall Kenneally.