Blackrock hit by injury problems

Garryowen make one change for the visit of Blackrock for tomorrow's All-Ireland League Division One clash at Dooradoyle. Veteran Jack Clarke is introduced on the right wing in preference to Melvin McNamara. The league leaders include former London Irish second-row David Peters among the replacements.

Peters made his league debut when coming on as a replacement in the club's last outing against Ballymena. Old boy and current Irish hooker Keith Wood will be a guest speaker at the pre-match luncheon.

Blackrock's injury problems are threatening to reach crisis proportions with scrum-half Nicky Assaf, hooker Shane Byrne and utility back Brian Carey all doubtful. Assaf damaged a hamstring while training with the Ireland Sevens squad, and with Andrew Boyd (shoulder operation) a long-term absentee and Eddie Robinson (knee) also sidelined, coach Kevin West is desperate that Assaf recovers in time. Byrne is also nursing a hamstring strain while Carey's ankle is causing him concern.

Buccaneers replace broken ankle victim Eamonn Molloy with Conor Gormley for their game against Young Munster. Robbie Lee is at full-back while Colm Rigney retains his place in the second row despite the return after suspension of brother Donal.

Young Munster are without Derek Tobin (knee injury) and his place goes to Mike Prendergast, scorer of a fine individual try against Lansdowne in their most recent league match. Brian Buckley is preferred to Declan Edwards at blindside flanker. Coach Brian Hickey, unlikely to make the journey to Keane Park because of a disc problem is his back, has not relinquished hope of making the play-offs.

St Mary's, at home to Terenure, are aware that anything other than victory tomorrow will end their interest in the knock-out stages of the competition. They have failed to beat Terenure at senior level for eight years according to the club but will be heartened by the return of internationals Kevin Nowlan, John McWeeney, Trevor Brennan and Victor Costello as well as Fergal Campion and Mark Cuddihy.

Cork Constitution make three changes to the side that thrashed St Mary's for their trip to Castle Avenue. Munster wing John Kelly is out injured but interprovincial teammate Anthony Horgan returns following a long lay-off with a hamstring injury. Ian Murray is preferred to Philip Soden in the front row while Donnacha O'Callaghan replaces the injured Ken Murphy.

Clontarf await late fitness reports on prop Warren O'Kelly (hamstring) and second row Colm Power, although both have been named in the team.

Galwegians have yet to finalise their line-up, naming an 18-man panel for the game against Shannon. The Limerick side has also delayed selection; the good news is that neck injury victim Rhys Ellison is back in training.

BUCCANEERS: R Lee; M Devine, O Cobbe, C Gormley, A Connolly; S Allnutt, S McIvor; J Screene, J McVeigh, M Cahill; B Rigney, C Rigney; D Rigney, M Steffert, E Brennan.

CLONTARF: M Woods; P Noble, M Smith, S Fitzsimons, O Winchester; R Murphy, R O'Reilly; H Hurley, B Jackman, W O'Kelly; C Power, D Moore; D O'Brien, C Brownlie, P Ward.

GARRYOWEN: D Crotty; J Clarke, K Hartigan, K Keane, K O'Riordan; J Staunton, T Tierney; N Hartigan, P Cunningham, R Laffin; S Leahy, R Leahy; P Hogan, B Cronin, D Wallace.

YOUNG MUNSTER: M Lynch; D O'Dowd, S McCahill, N O'Meara, R Larkin; A O'Halloran, M Prendergast; D Clohessy, M Hayes, P Clohessy; M O'Halloran, D O'Meara; B Buckley, M Webber, G Earls.

ST MARY'S COLLEGE: K Nowlan; J McWeeney, P McKenna, R McIlreavy, D Hickie; F Campion, C McGuinness; J Maher, P Smyth, P Coyle; S Jameson, D Bourke; T Brennan, V Costello, M Cuddihy.

GALWEGIANS (from): W Ruane; P Duignan, A Reddan, M Murphy, N Carolan; E Elwood, D Reddan; P Kay, D Lee, D Dobson; G Heaslip, J Duffy; G Dinneen, J Casserley, J Charlie, B Gavin, K Tierney, P Leahy.

CORK CONSTITUTION: B Walsh; D O'Brien, Conor Mahony, Cian Mahony, A Horgan; R O'Gara, B O'Meara; I Murray, F Sheahan, J O'Driscoll; D Sheehan, D O'Callaghan; D Corkery, U O'Callaghan, J Murray.

SKERRIES: P Beggs; M Quirke, D O'Sullivan, M Petera, E Caraher; J Dempsey, C Keane; J Horan, B Mulcahy, J O'Reilly; K Dowling, T Grey; T Giles, B Higgins, D O'Neill.