Halvey confident of being fit for Ireland selection

IRELAND flanker Eddie, Halvey, who has been out of the game since early November because of a troublesome groin and stomach muscle injury, makes what could prove to be a very timely comeback on Saturday when he plays for Shannon against Dolphin in Cork.

Twenty five year old Halvey who next month moves to English first division club Saracens, was chosen in the 30 man Ireland squad but has not yet signed a contract because of the doubt surrounding his fitness. He now gets the chance to prove that and maybe mount a challenge for a place in the team to meet France three weeks next Saturday. A fully fit Halvey would be a great addition to the side.

He sustained the injury playing for Munster against Swansea in the European Cup and while he turned out in a junior game just after Christmas, he was unable to complete the match. However he is now confident that the injury has cleared.

"I am training twice a day and have had no problem," he said. "I am able to take a full part in the physical and contact elements. I am looking forward to playing on Saturday. It has been a very frustrating few months for me."

Ireland manager Pat Whelan said yesterday that Halvey will be watched on Saturday by a member (or members) of the selection committee. Halvey is due to attend the squad session the weekend after next.

He travels to Saracens, with whom he has signed a three year contract worth £150,000, on Monday week. But if he proves his fitness on Saturday, he will be in the Shannon team the following week for the Munster Senior Cup tie against the winners of the first round match on Sunday between UCC and Waterpark.

Senior cup ties in January are without precedent, but it is cup time in three provinces this weekend a circumstance due, of course, to the restructuring of the season. But that, like much else in the game, is again under review.

Some notable names are missing from team sheets. Garryowen will not have Phillip Danaher, a man at the centre of their many triumphs in recent years, for the opening defence of their Munster crown, against Junior Challenge Cup winners Clanwilliam on Sunday, or for the next round. Danaher will not be ready to resume until the middle of next month. He is still recovering from the broken bone in a hand he sustained a couple of months ago.

In Wanderers, who play Blackrock the Leinster Senior Cup on Sunday, and Monkstown, who meet junior qualifiers Seapoint on Saturday, will both be without their captains. Wanderers' skipper Ronnie Culliton has a calf muscle injury. His brother, Brian, and Jim "Callaghan will fill the, second row berths. Another Culliton, Neil, will be in the back, row. Wanderers select from four" centres. Blackrock have a doubt about their international out half Alan McGowan. He has recently had a very severe bout of influenza and had to withdraw from the Ireland A team replacement bench last week.

Monkstown's captain and, scrum half, Conor Heaney, is away, and his place will be taken by Ian Wyse against Seapoint. Monkstown will also be minus the services of Mick Gilleran, who has a broken arm, Joe Cannon and Dave Kennelly.

Old Belvedere take on DLSP and will be missing their interprovincial back row forward, Kevin Spicer. Hugh McDonnell stands in as replacement. This match will be played under lights with a four o'clock kick off. All the other ties in Leinster will start, at two o'clock in case any have to go to extra time.

The match of the round could be the meeting of the cup holders, St Mary's, and Lansdowne at Templeville Road on Saturday. St Mary's are at full strength and Lansdowne's only absentee will be under 21 international wing Michael Kearin, who is injured. Alan Reddan plays on the wing with Rody Corrigan partnering team captain Brian Glen non in the centre.

Old Wesley will be without their international prop Henry Hurley for the tie against Clontarf. Hurley is unable to play due to business commitments. Terenure, who meet UCD, await, a fitness report on their under 21 international Cormac Egan, who has a leg injury.