Corkery gives Munster boost

David Corkery has confirmed that he will be returning to domestic Irish rugby this season and will begin the campaign with Munster. As to his choice of club, the Irish flanker intends to finalise his decision by about Thursday of next week, with his former club Cork Constitution and Young Munster heading a posse of pursuers which may also feature Garryowen.

Meanwhile, Lansdowne have further underlined their intentions by fending off Clontarf in capturing last season's Irish Schools' full-back Gordon D'Arcy, who played a starring role in Clongowes' Leinster Schools Cupwinning run. On the back of all that, it will be recalled, the much coveted D'Arcy was asked about his availability for the Irish senior tour to South Africa but was otherwise engaged with his Leaving Cert.

It had been an open secret that Corkery was homeward bound after a two-year stint with relegated and financially troubled Bristol. Clearance came by way of a formal letter of redundancy, which arrived through all the Bristol players' letter-boxes via the receiver on Thursday. "Literally, once I've let my apartment I'll be coming home, hopefully early next week," said Corkery yesterday.

"It's very sad the way things have gone at Bristol, for a club so steeped in tradition. Most of the guys have been approached by other clubs. Overall, it wasn't the most successful two years I could have hoped for on the pitch, but the friends and the contacts I've made are priceless. I'll be sad to leave them."

Corkery was approached by a number of English clubs, in both the top two divisions. But despite several of those offers being financially more remunerative, he had long since made his mind up to come home, not least because he has one eye on regaining the Irish number six jersey he lost on an injury-plagued tour of South Africa.

"The phone has been hopping these last few weeks, which isn't boasting, and there was a temptation to stay but I'd made my intentions known to the Irish management. There are a number of personal reasons for wanting to come home as well," added Corkery, who became engaged during the summer, "and besides, I think I'll last longer if I come home."

Discussions with the IRFU's players' negotiating contractor, Billy Lavery, on Thursday rubber stamped his return to Munster's colours.

Corkery underwent a knee operation two weeks ago but expects to be fit to play within two to three weeks, a timely boost for Munster given that Alan Quinlan has been troubled by a back injury which has sidelined him thus far. Munster also hope to have the former Garryowen out-half Barry Everitt back in their equation shortly, as he recovers from a groin injury. Despite his move to Lansdowne, Everitt will continue to play for his home province.

Munster's home inteprovincials against Leinster and Connacht, originally scheduled for Friday evenings, have been moved to Saturday August 22nd and Saturday September 12th at Dooradoyle. This is because Thomond Park is being reseeded and refurbished by the IRFU, who are buying the ground from the Munster Branch. It is still not certain whether the ground will be available for some or all of Munster's European Cup campaign (which begins on September 19th).

Ulster, meantime, have revealed their opening selection of the season for Monday night's encounter with Morocco at Raven hill (7.30) and even a cursory glance at the teamsheet shows how revitalised they look. Three internationals return to the fold, namely captain Mark McCall, outhalf David Humphreys and hooker Allen Clarke, while another two, Simon Mason and Justin Fitzpatrick, make their debuts for the province.

Ulster's hand is likely to be further strengthened within two to three weeks by the return of James Topping and Jonathan Bell. Both were early casualties of the South African tour with a dislocated shoulder and hamstring tear respectively, but both are progressing well and given the extended provincial campaigns, coach Harry Williams is reluctant to rush them back prematurely.