League hit by injury worries

IRELAND number eight Victor Costello (St Mary's College) and Cork Constitution's international outside half Paul Burke will both miss the All Ireland League match between the clubs at Templeville Road on Saturday.

Costello had to receive hospital treatment and had 30 stitches inserted in a head wound sustained during the league tie against Garryowen last Saturday. Eight of the stitches were internal and 22 external. But, while he will miss the match next Saturday, he still retains some hope that he might be fit to play for his club against Lansdowne in the Leinster Senior Cup tie tomorrow week.

"He is anxious to get back as quickly as possible and we will not rule him out of the cup tie. He is due to see the doctor again on Thursday," said St Mary's coach Ciaran Fitzgerald yesterday.

Burke sustained a leg injury playing for Constitution against Old Belvedere last Saturday. He, too, was taken to hospital. There was concern that he might have broken a bone in his right leg but X-rays revealed that there was no fracture.

"I got the knock just below the right knee and while it is very sore I am relieved that the injury is nothing as serious as I feared. I hope to be able to play within about a fortnight," he said yesterday.

Both will he fit for consideration for Ireland's match against the Barbarians on May 18th.

Costello played in Ireland's last match against England and Burke was the replacement outside half for that match.

Ireland manager Pat Whelan said that the team for that fixture may be picked next Sunday, failing that, it will be chosen the following week.

Both the Munster and Leinster branches have agreed to postpone their senior cup finals, fixed for Saturday May 18th to the following day so as not to have any adverse effect on the Ireland/Barbarians match.

"We have got tremendous cooperation from everyone and greatly appreciate it," said Hugo MacNeill. one of the principal organisers of the Peace International."