IRELAND U20 STAR Brian Gleeson is set to make his senior Munster debut in Saturday’s meeting with the Barbarians.
Gleeson, who was a mainstay of the Grand Slam-winning side this spring, is named among the replacements for the Thomond Park clash [4.30pm].
The Garryowen clubman is one of a host of academy players set to be involved, with Ethan Coughlan, Edwin Edogbo and Shay McCarthy all named to start, while Tony Butler, Mark Donnelly and Fionn Gibbons join Gleeson on the bench.
Tom Ahern, who missed the pre-season friendlies against Leinster and Connacht earlier this month, is another named among the replacements and set to make his first appearance of the season.
Meanwhile, Munster Women’s coach Niamh Briggs makes seven personnel changes to her starting XV for the meeting with the Barbarians in the first part of Saturday’s historic double-header [2pm].
Full-back Aoife Corey, wing Chisom Ugwueru and out-half Kate Flannery are all named to start in the backs, while Beth Buttimer and Eilís Cahill come into the front row, and Brianna Heylmann and Jane Clohessy both start in the back row.
Chloe Pearse, who started at flanker in the interprovincial final defeat to Leinster earlier this month, moves over to number eight.
Munster Men v Barbarians
- 15. Shane Daly
- 14. Shay McCarthy
- 13. Antoine Frisch
- 12. Rory Scannell
- 11. Calvin Nash
- 10. Joey Carbery
- 9. Ethan Coughlan
- 1. Josh Wycherley
- 2. Diarmuid Barron
- 3. Stephen Archer
- 4. Edwin Edogbo
- 5. Fineen Wycherley
- 6. Jack O’Donoghue (capt)
- 7. Jack Daly
- 8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements:
- 16. Niall Scannell
- 17. Mark Donnelly
- 18. John Ryan
- 19. Tom Ahern
- 20. Brian Gleeson
- 21. Neil Cronin
- 22. Tony Butler
- 23. Fionn Gibbons
Munster Women v Barbarians
- 15. Aoife Corey
- 14. Chisom Ugwueru
- 13. Alana McInerney
- 12. Stephanie Nunan
- 11. Stephanie Carroll
- 10. Kate Flannery
- 9. Muirne Wall
- 1. Róisín Ormond
- 2. Beth Buttimer
- 3. Eilís Cahill
- 4. Dorothy Wall (capt)
- 5. Clodagh O’Halloran
- 6. Brianna Heylmann
- 7. Jane Clohessy
- 8. Chloe Pearse
Replacements:
- 16. Ciara Farrell
- 17. Fiona Reidy
- 18. Gillian Coombes
- 19. Claire Bennett
- 20. Maeve Óg O’Leary
- 21. Abbie Salter-Townshend
- 22. Aoife O’Shaughnessy
- 23. Aoife Doyle
I suppose a natural development since Kilkenny’s physicality in the air has evolved the game into more of a physical battle. Hope there’s still a place for a Joe Deane or eoin Kelly type player in the modern game, hurling would be much poorer otherwise
There are not enough hardy lads in Tipp for the kind of game Ryan wants to impose .
I’d like to think you still need to be able to hurl to succeed tho. It’ll be interesting to see how Clare do with their pace and skill based game. I think it would be good for hurling to see them in croke park again. Hopefully Tipp can get the balance of brain and brawn right tho
Just because lads are after getting big and strong it does not mean that we after loosing a type of player.I think lads like TJ,Richie Hogan,JJ Delaney,Joe Canning and Callanan are just as skillful and class as Deane and Kelly.Just look at the player of the year nominees this year…….all three are like Houdini when they have a sliotar in their hands.Its the way the game is being played is changing.I think Kilkenny just brought more intensity rather than physicality,as the game was much more physical just as far back as 20 years ago.And more again 40 and 50yrs ago
For too long now ,Tipp have thrown away Munsters and all-Irelands due to their non physicality….
As Tommy Docherty once said when describing a Ladies team ” their lovely to look at,, but they wont hurt you ”
Maybe its time to bring back Hells Kitchen !!
I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out why maher was centre forward last year. I think right half back is his best position , in midfield he goes in and out of games. He’s more solid than Barrett.
Just as long as he doesn’t throw the baby out with the bath water. EOS was on the cusp of cracking it but his team lacked a bit of edge, not helped by injuries to the like if Mahony, Cahill, Stapleton etc. who add a bit of bite to the team. I would nearly prefer lose than sacrifice EOS’s hurling philosophy in favour of that sweeper system/ Donegal tactic that other teams are employing. Also if Michael Quinlivan can hurl he would be well worth a try.
That’s the worry Johnny, but I hope with the likes of bubbles, Callanan and Noel McGrath you have the bones of a hurling front 6 as opposed to a blunt battering ram. Galway even uppe’d the physicality stakes this year as well. Where’s it all going to end.. in puke football territory maybe? I like you still want to retain our nice brand of hurling identity if possible
Tipp need to find a few more players. No Denis Maher? The question you need to ask as a fan is how many of this squad would start on a Kilkenny first 15? 4-5 at a push, this is the bench mark for Tipp unfortunately.