Youth And Experience In Munster’s Cup Side
Six players who helped Munster beat Connacht in the Magners League last weekend have been included in Anthony Foley’s British & Irish Cup side for Saturday’s semi-final clash with Ulster Ravens at Thomond Park (kick-off 3.30pm).
Forwards Dave Ryan, Dave Foley and Peter O’Mahony and backs Declan Cusack, Jeremy Manning and Danny Barnes all featured for Munster in the 18-12 win over Connacht.
For Saturday’s British & Irish Cup semi-final, Munster coach Anthony Foley has opted for the wily Mossie Lawlor to man the last line of defence. Lawlor, the current captain of Shannon, won 69 senior caps for Munster.
Eoghan Grace returns to the side having limped out injured when Connacht visited Limerick in February and he links up with Tommy O’Donnell and team captain O’Mahony in what looks a potent back row.
Duncan Williams and Cusack maintain a half-back partnership that has served their side so well in this cross-border competition, while Sean Scanlon, an unused replacement last Sunday, and Barnes have the sort of pace to stretch the Ulster Ravens defence.
MUNSTER (v Ulster Ravens): Mossie Lawlor (Shannon); Ronan O’Mahony (Garryowen), Danny Barnes (Dolphin), Jeremy Manning (Cork Constitution), Sean Scanlon (UCC); Declan Cusack (Thomond), Duncan Williams (Cork Constitution); Dave Ryan (Dolphin), Mike Sherry (Garryowen), Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution), Dave Foley (UL Bohemians), Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution), Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians), Eoghan Grace (Shannon), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution) (capt).
Replacements: Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians), Sean Henry (UL Bohemians), David O’Callaghan (UCC), Paddy Butler (Shannon), Conor Murray (Garryowen), Mike Kelliher (Richmond), Luke O’Dea (Shannon).
Related Links –
British & Irish Cup: Semi-Final Preview