Favourites Cork Constitution will welcome back their contracted stars for this Saturday’s AIL Division One semi-final at Temple Hill.
Coach Brian Hickey has included the likes of Ronan O’Gara, Frankie Sheahan, Anthony Horgan and Ireland debutant John Kelly in the starting line-up as his side do battle with Garryowen for a place in the final.
Con, beaten at Lansdowne Road last year when Dungannon recorded an unlikely victory in the final, have had to do without their big names for long periods of the season when they were required by both Munster and Ireland.
And given the conflict the issue of contracted players is causing at club level, it was unclear whether Hickey would risk tinkering with the winning side that topped the Division One table.
But despite the difficulties posed, Hickey maintains it is pure common sense to select your best XV on the day.
"It is difficult," said Hickey, "but what we’ve said all along is that we’d pick the best starting line-up from the players we have available at any given time.
"Whether they’re contracted or not doesn’t really come into it."
There is one slight injury doubt for Hickey, with Mick O’Driscoll carrying a calf problem. The second-row trained with the squad last night and has been named on the team although Hickey will wait until tomorrow before making a final decision on the player’s fitness.
"Mick is still a bit of a worry but we’ll know more about him tomorrow," Hickey confirmed.
Garryowen, who have no injury worries and can call on the services of ex-Australia international John Langford, will announce their team after training tomorrow night.
Cork Constitution: B Walsh; J Kelly, Conor Mahony, Cian Mahony, A Horgan; R O'Gara, B O'Meara; I Murray, F Sheahan, J O'Driscoll; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; J Williams, U O'Callaghan, J Murray.
