Earls makes a late charge

MUNSTER centre Keith Earls has made a strong late push to become a surprise inclusion in Ian McGeechan’s Lions squad to tour South Africa this summer.
Twenty-one-year-old Earls bagged a brace of tries in Munster’s 43-9 Heineken Cup quarter-final demolition of the Ospreys at Thomond Park, including a terrific 65th minute effort when he defied both opposition scrum half Mike Phillips and gravity to score in the left corner.


Despite his relative lack of experience at full international level, Earls has made a strong case for inclusion in the 35 or 36-man squad which will be named by coach Ian McGeechan at the Heathrow Hotel on Tuesday next.
Munster coach Tony McGahan agreed Keith Earls had made a strong case for inclusion with his recent eye-catching displays for Munster.
“We said after the Six Nations that we would hope the 12 players who represented Ireland would have every opportunity of being selected in the Lions squad, as well as a few smokies,” Tony McGahan said.
“Keith Earls has certainly put his hand up.”
Munster will appear in their eighth Heineken Cup semi-final when they face Leinster in a mouth-watering All-Ireland showdown at Croke Park on Saturday, May 2 (kick-off 5.30pm).
Competition organisers, the ERC, expect a world-record attendance for a club rugby match of 82,500 to attend the fixture.
Some 5,000 tickets, which went on sale on Ticketmaster on Sunday evening, were sold out within half an hour.
Both Munster and Leinster will get an equal allocation of tickets for the match, with the ERC distributing 30,000 to each province.
Munster’s 30,000 tickets will be allocated in line with Thomond Park Heineken Cup pool games with an additional amount of tickets held for commercial partners and the balance split between the Munster clubs and the Munster Rugby Supporters Club.
A statement on the Munster website explains that it is unlikely that any tickets will go on public sale, but supporters are asked to keep an eye on the website, www.munsterrugby.ie, for further details.
Munster coach McGahan is eagerly looking forward to bringing his charges to the GAA headquarters.
“It is a massive achievement to get to Croke Park and it is a once-off opportunity to play there,” Tony McGahan pointed out.
“For us, being involved with Munster and to have the chance to play such an important game at such an historic venue, is a tremendous achievement and one we will look forward to and cherish.”
Munster return to Magners League action this Saturday night when the league leaders host Connacht at Thomond Park (7.30pm).
Meanwhile the Munster squad training session tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15, in Thomond Park will be open to the public.
It will be a full squad session from 10.30am until 12 noon with the entrances on the East Stand open at 10.15am.
Admission for members of the public, who would like to attend, is free.
On the club front UL Bohemian enjoyed one of the most successful weekend in their history.
On Saturday, a late try from Harry De Stacpoole, converted by Daragh Frawley, saw the UL Bohemian under-20s come from behind to beat Blackrock College 16-13 in the All-Ireland under-20 decider in Tullamore and lift the Frazer McMullen trophy for the second successive year.
Yesterday a late drop goal from the boot of Fergal Lawlor helped UL Bohemian defeat Garryowen 16-13 at Annacotty to secure their first Munster Junior Cup success since 1932.
And the excellent weekend was completed by the UL Bohemian firsts when they picked up a losing bonus point against local rivals Shannon to secure their place in the new-look Top 8, or Division 1A, of the All-Ireland League next season.
UL Bohemian will be the only Limerick club who will not face a high pressure fixture in the final weekend of the regular league season next Saturday.
In Division 1 Shannon and Garryowen are involved in a fierce battle to secure top four play-off spots.
Seven clubs remain in contention to reach the knock-out stages with the contenders separated by just three points.
Third-placed Shannon host second-placed Dolphin at Coonagh on Saturday while fourth-placed Garryowen host mid-table Galwegians at Dooradoyle.
Battling Young Munster have given themselves a fighting chance of retaining their Division 1 status after defeating Buccaneers 18-0 at Dubarry Park.
Munsters’ need to defeat UCD at Belfield on Saturday and deprive the students of a losing bonus point to be sure of remaining in the top flight.
In Division 2 Thomond can beat the drop with victory over Bective Rangers at Fitzgerald Park on Saturday.
Old Crescent can make the play-offs with a win over Malone, while Bruff, who are also in the hunt for a play-off spot, travel to Dr. Hickey Park to face Greystones.

Colm Kinsella