Munster Name Side For Interprovincial Shot

With a number of injuries to contend with, Munster Juniors coach John Keehan has had his hand forced into a number of changes as Munster try to retain their Junior Interprovincial title, facing Connacht this Saturday at Dunmore RFC (KO 2.30pm)

With Ulster having beaten the reigning champions on the opening day, and defeating Connacht last week, the ball remains in the Northener’s court ahead of facing Leinster in Longford at the same time, needing just a point to lift the trophy.

Munster need the Ulstermen to slip up down south of the border if they are to have a chance at retaining the title, and even then with a five point difference in the table, and a 45 point difference in the tally, the Munstermen need to rack up the tries, and hope Leinster can put a few on the only undefeated side in the tournament, to stand a chance of winning.

An uphill battle is made more difficult with the loss of key fly-half John Lillis from Thurles, and Kilfeacle & District’s back-row forward Kevin Kinnane, while Dan Horgan also misses out, joining the Tipperary pair on the treatment table.

Aiden O’Dwyer, Aidan Ware, and Brian Collins come in, hoping to make a big impact on the game in north County Galway, while Bandon’s Olan Crowley comes into the squad for the first time this season, joined by Thurles’ Luke Kelly in being called up. Kilfeacle’s Brian McLoughlin moves to 7 from 6 to accommodate the incoming Ware.

However, Munster are a province famed for triumph through adversity, and Keehan and his backroom staff will be hoping that his players will relish their mammoth task, and rack up the points on bottom-side Connacht to lift the trophy once more.

Munster team to face Connacht: Derry O’Connor (Abbeyfeale); Scott Hornibrook (Waterpark), Eoin O’Dwyer (Thurles), Tom O’Callaghan (Mitchelstown), Brian Collins (St Senan’s); Aidan O’Dwyer (Thurles), Nicky Irwin (Thurles); Robert Brockhert (St Mary’s), Mike Cronin (Castleisland), Rory Hannon (Waterpark), Kevin Phelan (Waterpark), Brendan Childs (Galbally), Brian McLoughlin (Kilfeacle), Aidan Ware (Old Christians), David O’Donoghue capt. (Waterpark).

Replacements From: Tom Doyle (Kilfeacle), Pa Ryan (St Senans), Darren Collins (Muskerry), Luke Kelly (Thurles), Brian Collins (Abbeyfeale), Kieran Downey (Castleisland), Sean Herlihy (Newcastle West), Olan Crowley (Bandon).