Cork Constitution v Dolphin

MUNSTER’S MAGNERS League outing against Connacht tomorrow demands a heavy toll in terms of personnel from today’s AIB All-Ireland League Division One semi-finalists as both Cork Constitution and Dolphin are missing several front line players.

There was also some minor confusion about young Scott Deasy who was initially named in both the Constitution and Munster teams at fullback: he’ll play for his province. The Temple Hill club left a vacancy, which is likely to be filled by switching Richard Lane from the right wing. Anthony Horgan will start or be included in the replacements.

The home side and table toppers are without Deasy, Tom Gleeson, Under-20 international Simon Zebo, Peter O’Mahoney, Billy Holland and Jeremy Manning, the latter away on Munster duty. They have been allowed to keep scrumhalf Duncan Williams – Conor Murray will act as back-up to Peter Stringer in Galway – while retaining seven of the pack on duty last week when Constitution beat Dolphin 23-13.

Constitution will miss O’Mahoney. The former Irish underage captain was the game’s outstanding performer last week. His speed around the pitch and work at the breakdown was particularly effective. Coach Brian Walsh has rejigged the back five in the pack with Merle O’Connell in the secondrow and Ian Nagle wearing the number six jersey.

Dolphin are awaiting a medical report on flanker Barry O’Mahoney, who hasn’t played since sustaining an elbow injury with the Ireland club team. Coach Steve Ford is without the Munster-tied Danny Barnes, Dave Ryan, Julien Brugnaut, James Coughlan and Nick Williams. In last week’s game between the teams, the yellow card for Dolphin fullback Niall O’Driscoll had a dramatic bearing on the outcome as in the 10 minutes he was off the pitch, Constitution scored three tries.

On the opening weekend of the season, Dolphin beat Constitution 13-12, and will no doubt look to that win for inspiration. The Constitution players made a promise in the aftermath of last season’s semi-final defeat that they would use the disappointment as a spur to win the tournament this season.

In Cronan Healy and Richard Lane they have two of the most prolific try scorers, the key will be to ensure they receive plenty of ball. Barry Keeshan is captain, totem and points scorer-in-chief for the visitors. Dolphin will view this as a huge opportunity to topple their fierce rivals but Con might just have retained enough of an edge to squeak home.

CORK CONSTITUTION:AN Other; R Lane, A Ryan, E Ryan (capt), C Healy; D Lyons, D Williams; S Archer, R Quinn, M Gately; M O'Connell, B Hayes; I Nagle, E Leamy, F Cogan.

DOLPHIN:N O'Driscoll; R Kenneally, E Maloney, K Lynch, P Hurley; B Keeshan (capt), S Cronin; C Conlon, A O'Driscoll, R O'Neill; C Rowe, K O'Dwyer; F Stone, A N Other, R Allen.