Connacht ‘A’ Team Named For Interpro Clash
The Connacht team to face Munster in Friday’s ‘A’ interprovincial match at the Sportsground (kick-off 2pm) has been confirmed. Second row David Gannon will captain the home side.
This youthful Connacht line-up will face an experienced Munster side with players such as Marcus Horan, Damien Varley, BJ Botha, James Coughlan and Tomas O’Leary all named in the starting fifteen.
The Connacht selection includes a number of players who have impressed for their clubs in recent Ulster Bank League matches, including prop Denis Buckley who scored two first half tries in Buccaneers’ win over UCD last Saturday.
Flanker David Heffernan was man-of-the-match in that game, while Buccs duo Shane Layden and Callum Boland are joined by Galwegians stalwart John Cleary in an exciting back-three combination.
With players such as Buckley, Mark McCrea, captain David Gannon and Dave Moore all vying for positions in Connacht’s senior squad, this is a good opportunity for the province’s second string to test themselves against quality opposition.
CONNACHT ‘A’ (v Munster ‘A’): Shane Layden (Buccaneers); John Cleary (Galwegians), Mark McCrea (Buccaneers), David McSharry (UCD), Callum Boland (Buccaneers); Jack Carty (Buccaneers), David Moore (Galwegians); Denis Buckley (Buccaneers), Dermot Murphy (Galwegians), Stewart Maguire (Old Belvedere), Michael Kearney (Buccaneers), David Gannon (Buccaneers) (capt), David Heffernan (Buccaneers), Eoghan Grace (Buccaneers), Eoin McKeon (Galwegians).
Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne (Corinthians), Finlay Bealham (Corinthians), Jamie Stephens (Galwegians), Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers), Aaron Conneely (Corinthians), Mark Dolan (Buccaneers), Tadhg Leader (Galwegians), Finn Gormley (Corinthians).