O’Connor Included In Connacht ‘A’ Side

Johnny O’Connor is set to return from injury on Friday and make his first appearance in a Connacht jersey since early December, when Connacht put out an ‘A’ side to face Ulster ‘A’ in Mullingar (kick-off 3pm).

The fit-again Johnny O’Connor is joined in the Connacht ‘A’ back row by David Gannon on the blindside and Galwegians clubman Joe Moran at number 8.

Michael Swift and David Nolan make up the westerners’ second row partnership, while up front Conor Muldoon starts at hooker and is joined in the front row by John Lyne and Ronan Loughney.

In the backs, Ireland Under-20 international John O’Brien starts at full-back.

Mike Roberts, Mel Deane, Troy Nathan and Richard Keatley have all been selected in the three-quarters line and Andy Dunne and Conor O’Loughlin will occupy the half back berths.

CONNACHT ‘A’ (v Ulster ‘A’): John O’Brien; Richard Keatley, Troy Nathan, Mel Deane, Mike Roberts; Andy Dunne, Conor O’Loughlin; John Lyne, Conor Muldoon, Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, David Nolan, David Gannon, Johnny O’Connor, Joe Moran.

Replacements: Alex O’Sullivan, Conor Higgins, Liam Scahill, Nick McCarthy, Adam Kennedy, Alan Gaughan, Sean Carey.