Ultan O'Callaghan seems certain to miss the All-Ireland League Division One Final against Garryowen at Lansdowne Road on Saturday because of a shoulder injury sustained in the semi-final victory over Buccaneers.
The Cork Constitution number eight is to see a specialist later today, but the early prognosis is that he will miss out on the biggest day in the club's history since they won the inaugural league title. It would be a bitter blow for the under-rated 28-year-old who has been outstanding in Constitution's path to the final and is equally effective as a primary ball carrier or in defence. Packie Derham, Constitution's joint coach alongside Michael Bradley, conceded that they would give O'Callaghan every opportunity to prove his fitness and that would probably necessitate delaying selection until the morning of the match.
Several options present themselves in the absence of the Munster inter-provincial. John Fogarty, replacement hooker on Ireland's under-21 team this season, replaced O'Callaghan in the Buccaneers match, but that necessitated switching David Corkery from blindside to number eight.
Fogarty would add pace and dynamism to the back-row, but given that he would probably be asked to play blindside, he may lack the physical bulk to hit hard on the fringes. Conor Kehelly, a talented number eight, who shattered his nose in an early season league match is back playing and he represents another option, one that would ensure minimal disruption to the composition of the back-row.
The selectors may also look to Donnacha O'Callaghan, another member of the Ireland under-21 squad and brother of Ultan, a versatile performer who can cover either second row or back-row. Definitely out of contention is Jim Canning who is injured.
Constitution also await a fitness report on centre Cian Mahony who missed the Buccaneers game with a hamstring injury he sustained in training on the Thursday before the Shannon match and retired five minutes into that game. Alan Byrne deputised last Saturday, but he was replaced midway through the match by Anthony Horgan. The Munster inter-provincial came on on the right wing with John Kelly moving to the centre.
Opponents Garryowen must do without Kieran Ronan, sent off against St Mary's College. Rob Laffan came on and will keep his place. Conor Kilroy started the last game on the right wing and should retain his place ahead of Melvin McNamara and former international Jack Clarke.
Killian Keane and Shane Leahy, both of whom carried injuries into the St Mary's match, appear to have suffered no adverse reaction. Hooker Paul Cunningham injured a calf during the warm-up prior to the last game and was replaced by Pat Humphreys. Garryowen coach John Hall must decided whether to reinstate Cunningham or retain a very able deputy.
Garryowen will not release a team before tomorrow night. Meanwhile, the fourth All-Ireland Under-20 Championships take place at Galway Corinthians RFC on Sunday and Monday next. Lansdowne, UCC, UCG and either Queen's University or Rainey Old Boys represent the respective provinces.
Old Belvedere: P Kilduff; F Meegan, R Monohan, D Shanley, D Keogh; D Maughan, S Keogh; G Fusco, C Tytherleigh, A Ronan; C Gleeson, H McDonnell; G White, A N Other, S Dods.
