Trading places rugby style

A SUBSTANTIAL number of moves between clubs have already taken place in preparation for next seasons All Ireland League campaign.

As usual the four university sides UCD, QUB, UCC and Trinity - must shoulder the largest exodus. A combined numbed of 25 people aide leaving, while the clubs must wait until the university points race is over to see who they have as replacements: UCD, however, have recruited six players to fill some of the holes.

Lansdowne front row Mark McDermott, who has taken up a Development Officer job with the IRFU in Munster, has joined triple AIL winners Shannon.

Lansdowne have also lost Eric Elwood to Galwegians, but make an overall gain with eight new names joining the club, amongst them Terenure's Cillian Egan, Blackrock's Rory Kearns and Craig Whelan, the Bective full back.

Whelan may well see a berth in the Lansdowne senior side as Richard Governey, who is currently making impressive waves in New Zealand with the Irish Development Squad, is certain to move from the number 15 to out half plugging the hole left by Elwood.

Clontarf, who impressed so much in Division Two last season have recruited six players into their squad for next year's Division One campaign, while Ballymena have further strengthened their squad with eight new names, Portadown's Andy Matchett amongst them.

International prop Peter Clohessy joins up with Young Munster to give their front row some bite, while Moseley's Martin Ridge moves to Old Belvedere adding some strength to their front row.