Ellison boost for Shannon campaign

Rhys Ellison, whose career at one stage seemed over following serious shoulder and neck problems, returns to AIB League Division One fare for Shannon's clash with Ballymena at Thomond Park tomorrow. The New Zealand born centre will make his first senior start since a 20 minute cameo in the last match of the league proper against Cork Constitution in Temple Hill.

On that occasion Ellison, in attempting to crash tackle Cian Mahony, exacerbated nerve damage to his shoulder and despite continuing for 10 minutes eventually limped out of the match. He has not played a competitive first team game for Shannon since last April. His decision to play in the Con match was something of a risk given that he had not lined out prior to that since suffering the problem against Terenure at Clanwilliam last January, some eight weeks prior to the Con match.

It was suggested that he would never play at a serious competitive level again, a theory that seemed to be substantiated when he was made coach to Shannon for the beginning of the present campaign. However, there was something of a misnomer as regards the extent of the damage: it was originally thought that it was a neck injury but it was actually damaged nerves stretching between the shoulder and the neck.

In recent weeks he has completed his rehabilitation with several games for the second team and showed no ill effects. His return represents a huge boost for a Shannon team labouring to qualify for the playoff stages following three defeats in the campaign to date. His defensive nous and experience will provide greater stability in an area in which Shannon have been weak.

Paul McMahon returns to partner Ellison in the centre. John O'Neill is expected to play despite a nagging leg injury. Opponents Ballymena make one change from the team that beat Con, flanker Andy Graham deputising for the injured John Andrews. Better news for the Eaton Park club is that international wing James Topping (broken thumb) and long term injury victim Stanley McDowell should return within the next fortnight.

Ireland A centre John Kelly returns to the Cork Constitution team for their clash with Lansdowne at Temple Hill. Adam Sherard steps down in the only change from the team beaten by Ballymena. Conor Mahony, Donal Sheahan and Brian O'Meara remain on the long term casualty list.

Lansdowne will not announce their team until today, awaiting medical reports on Reggie Corrigan, Ollie Ennis, Gabriel Fulcher and Brian Cusack. Corrigan will be desperate to play following knee cartilage damage a fortnight ago and if he emerges unscathed will earn a place in the Ireland squad for the A international against Italy this day week.

Ennis picked up an injury in the Mary's game while both Fulcher and Cusack missed the match in question. Definitely out is Marcus Dillon who damaged a knee and will be sidelined for three months.

In Division Two Blackrock College have been forced to reshuffle their back five in the continued absence of Robert Casey with captain Leo Cullen moving to the second row.