Jones begins comeback trail with Shannon
Munster star Felix Jones will make his long-awaited comeback from injury this weekend when he lines out for Shannon against Young Munster in the AIL
MUNSTER full-back Felix Jones will make his comeback from long-term injury in Shannon’s Ulster Bank All-Ireland League tie with Young Munster at Thomond Park on Friday night (7.30pm).
Jones’ World Cup dreams were shattered last August when he suffered ligament damage to his right foot in Ireland’s World Cup warm-up game with France at the Aviva Stadium.
However, having been sidelined for six months, Jones will now make his comeback for Stephen Keogh’s Shannon in their AIL derby clash with Young Munster on Friday.
Jones’ return is a major boost to Munster, with his last appearance coming in their Magners League Grand Final victory over Leinster last May.
Should Jones make a successful comeback from injury for Shannon, he is likely to be included in the Munster squad for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Benetton Treviso at the Stadio di Monigo on Saturday week, February 18.
Resilient Shannon stunned fourth place Lansdowne on the back pitch at the Aviva Stadium to record a badly needed AIL Division 1A victory last weekend. Player coach Stephen Keogh grabbed Shannon’s try, while Tadhg Bennett kicked 17 points. Shannon are now eighth in the table.
Young Munster maintained their hopes of winning a first All-Ireland League title in almost two decades thanks to a gritty 9-7 victory over competition heavyweights Cork Constitution at Tom Clifford Park.
Munsters’ eight win of the campaign ensures Mike Prendergast’s side are within four points of table toppers St Mary’s College.
Meanwhile, Garryowen may have Mike Sherry available for selection for their crucial All-Ireland League tie with Lansdowne as a result of Munster’s scheduled PRO12 tie with Aironi being postponed.
Sherry also featured for the ‘light blues’ in their narrow AIL defeat to St Mary’s College at the weekend. Sherry’s availability to the Bateman All-Ireland Cup finalists would be a major boost in their clash with Lansdowne as another Garryowen hooker, James Rael, is a member of the Irish U-20s squad who will take on France in the RBS Six Nations Championship this weekend.
Garryowen remained sixth in the table after picking up a losing bonus point in their 12-13 defeat to table toppers St Mary’s College at Templeville Road. Saturday’s tie between Garryowen and Lansdowne at Dooradoyle has a 2.30pm kick-off.
In Division 1B, UL-Bohemian travel to Athlone to face Buccaneers at Dubarry Park. UL-Bohs’ maintained their promotion push with a hard-earned 8-3 home win over UCC in Annacotty. Sean Rennison grabbed the game’s only try.
Bruff remain very much in a relegation battle after the Kilballyowen Park side suffered a 17-8 defeat away to Ballymena.
Bruff, second-from-bottom in 1B, host UCD in a critical fixture at Kilballyowen Park this Saturday (2.30pm).
In Division 2A, Old Crescent recorded a precious bonus point win over Instonians at Rosbrien, with Brendan Guilfoyle bagging a hat-trick of tries, while Tommy Cregan contributed 20 points with the boot. Thomond had to be satisfied with a losing bonus point from their trip to Towns Park as Midleton recorded a 10-3 victory.
Thomond moved up one place to 13th in the table as a result. Action in Division 2A resumes on Saturday, February 18.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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