All-Ireland League: Team check

Shannon

Shannon

Irish internationals Peter Stringer and Anthony Foley return to the Shannon team for their game against Ballymena at Eaton Park but Munster wing John O'Neill is an absentee because of injury.

St Mary's College

Trevor Brennan could be out for the rest of the season after popping rib cartilage against Garryowen on Wednesday night. He retired after 17 minutes in considerable pain and will definitely miss the Buccaneers match tomorrow. Peter Coyle, a second half replacement, could start at Moher Road while Shane Jennings is expected to return after missing the last match because of exams.

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Buccaneers

Wing Matt Walker is out for the rest of the season after damaging medial knee ligaments. Paul Whitaker is doubtful with a shin injury while Robbie Lee may also miss the St Mary's match following a car crash and subsequent leg infection. Tomorrow's game takes place at Moher Road and will be shown live on RTE.

Cork Constitution

John Kelly returns on the right wing following a hamstring injury while Ronan O'Donovan is included in the centre in place of Cian Mahony. Ian Murray replaces Rob McGrath at loosehead. Coach Brian Hickey is optimistic that Mick O'Driscoll and Jerry Murray will both be fit following knocks suffered last weekend.

Belfast Harlequins

SeconD row David Irwin is out for the remainder of the season after damaging cruciate knee ligaments against Shannon. Gerard O'Loan will move into the second row with Chris McCarey taking over at number eight.

Dungannon

Willie Anderson, who yesterday signed a new three-year contract which will keep him at the club until May 2004, makes two changes for the Harlequins match. Richard Mackay starts in place of Justin Fitzpatrick adhering to the rotation scheme of things while Alaister Boyd comes in at blindside flanker.

Terenure College

Eric Miller and Australian backrow Luke Hammond will both be available for tomorrow's game against Galwegians at Lakelands.

Garryowen.

Jeremy Staunton will miss Sunday's game against Young Munster and probably the midweek game against Buccaneers as a result of an ankle injury sustained in the club's 25-24 victory over St Mary's. Staunton currently has the ankle in a cast to speed up the healing process and coach Andy Earl confirmed that he would miss Sunday's game. "It's fairly swollen so we'll have to wait and see how it is after the weekend. The x-rays confirmed that there is nothing broken."

International

An extended Ireland squad will be named on May 14th for a training weekend (May 21st/22nd) in preparation for Ireland's test match against Romania in Bucharest on June 2nd. Once the two-day gathering is over a 22-man squad to travel to Romania will be named with the team confirmed on the Tuesday prior to departure. The match squad will convene on the 27th and fly out on the 30th. The Test kicks off at 2.0p.m. (12.0 Irish time).

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer