Wounded Munster can reign in Spain

MUNSTER’S season reaches a critical point this Sunday when Tony McGahan’s men contest their ninth Heineken Cup semi-final. Unfortunately, the two-time winners must plan without inspirational team captain Paul O’Connell who has not recovered in time from a groin injury to be named in the squad.
However, there was some good news for coach Tony McGahan with the inclusion of the fit again Keith Earls, Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling and Nick Williams in the squad for the trip to San Sebastian.


Paul O’Connell is the only notable absentee from the squad. The team will be named on Friday at noon while the squad departs for San Sebastian on Saturday morning.
The painful memories of last season’s heavy semi-final defeat to arch rivals Leinster will be still fresh in the minds of Munster’s players and the province’s colourful band of supporters when they travel to San Sebastian in Northern Spain for the clash with Biarritz Olympique (3.15pm Irish time). Munster coach, Tony McGahan, has admitted that Sunday’s semi-final is what the team’s season is all about.
The bookmakers have installed Munster as slight favourites to reach a fifth Heineken Cup final this weekend, but the tight nature of the betting indicates that rugby fans can expect a close contest.
Munster have displayed a terrific ability to bounce back from a below par showing in the Magners League on one weekend to produce a high-class performance the next in the Heineken Cup.
They will be hoping for a similar transformation in form this weekend following their lacklustre showing against the Ospreys last time out.
Munster maintained their grip of the fourth and final play-off spot in the Magners League table despite suffering a disappointing 11-15 home defeat to the Welsh side.
Munster’s Heineken Cup opponents Biarritz suffered a 19-26 home defeat to Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14 at the weekend.
But Munster coach McGahan believes current form counts for little in a knock-out game such as Sundays: “At this stage I don’t really know if the current form holds any water. It’s a one-off game, it’s a semi-final.
“You saw that when we played Leinster here, close but a little off the mark. But we came out and played well the following week (against Northampton).
“All teams have the capability of doing that. We have shown that this year where we have had a disappointing result whether it has been the week before rounds one and two in the Heineken Cup or before the back-to-back fixtures at round three and four in the competition that we have certainly come back.
“We have some guys to come back into the squad we will certainly re-group.
“We know that next week is what it is all about for us this year. We are really targetting the Heineken Cup. We want to get a result in the semi-final to go one step further than we did last year. We want to put ourselves in with the chance of collecting some silverware.”
Biarritz have been dealt a huge blow ahead of the game with confirmation that their French international centre Damien Traille’s will not play again this season.
Traille hurt his forearm in their recent Top 14 clash with Clermont and will need four to six weeks to recover.
Biarritz’s international forward Imanol Harinordoquy, who broke his nose recently is expected to play.
Munster centre Jean de Villiers says that while Munster’s big-game experience had played a big role in their previous successes in Europe, the recent Magners League victory over Connacht showed that the younger members of the squad were capable of stepping up to the mark when called upon.
De Villiers said: “The secret to Munster’s success in the past has been the experiences they have had in these stages of the competition. You need the experienced guys around to get those results.
“The depth we have created within the squad- the guys who played last weekend against Connacht for instance- shows the next generation coming through can also do the job.”
Exciting Welsh winger Shane Williams is just one member of his team who believe Munster will prevail in Sunday’s presssure-cooker atmosphere at the Estadio Anoeta. However, he has warned against the danger of Munster conceding penalties with the presence of quality goal-kicker Dimitri Yachvili in the opposition line-up.
Williams, who has faced each of Sunday’s semi-finalists in recent weeks, believes Munster can cause the French side major problems: “Munster will have watched our game closely and they will realise Biarritz are beatable.
“Anything can happen in the Heineken Cup, but we showed that you can score tries against Biarritz,” Williams said.
“We all know what kind of team Munster are and they will have to take their chances.”

Munster Squad: Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Julien Brugnaut, John Hayes, Damien Varley, Jerry Flannery, Mick O'Driscoll, Billy Holland, Donncha O'Callaghan, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Nick Williams, James Coughlan, Niall Ronan, Tomas O'Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Paul Warwick, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Tom Gleeson, Doug Howlett, Denis Hurley, Ian Dowling, Keith Earls, Scott Deasy.

Colm Kinsella

Ladies aim to emulate senior footballers

THE Limerick ladies football side attempt to follow in the footsteps of their male counterparts and claim the National League Division Four title this Saturday evening.
Just like one week previous, the game will be televised live on TG4 at 5pm from Breffini Park in Cavan, where Leitrim are the opponents.
The game forms a double-header with the All-Ireland under-21 football championship championship final between Donegal and Dublin.
Last Sunday in the league semi-final Limerick gained revenge for last year’s All-Ireland junior championship final loss to Antrim.
In the semi-final Limerick were 2-9 to 2-8 winners over Antrim in O’Toole Park in Dublin.
Former Limerick senior football captain Tommy Stack replaced Maire Halvey in charge of the ladies side during the off-season.
The Dromcollogher-Broadford man is joined by selectors John English (Kilteely) and John Walsh (Gerald Griffins).
“I saw that we were in Division Four, but I don’t think we deserve to be that near the bottom of the pile - we definitely should be closer,” said Tommy Stack of Limerick’s standing in Ladies Football.
Stack previously managed the ladies side in 2006 and recalled that Saturday’s opposition ended their championship hopes on that occasion.
The sides have already met in the round robin series and while Limerick were victorious, Stack expects a different Leitrim on this occasion.
“We beat them by four points, but they had already qualified and I felt that they are better than they showed.”
He added: “They beat Antrim quite comprehensively and we can see that we only beat them last weekend”.
Limerick have edged closer and closer to a national title in recent seasons. Back in 2008 Limerick reached the Division Three league final, but lost to Cavan in Thurles and then last autumn they fell at the final hurdle against Antrim in the All-Ireland junior championship final.
“For a lot of girls who played last year it was a motivation, but not the biggest thing.
“They are a really focused group on just winning every game and progressing,” explained Stack.
While some players are unavailable from last season, two notable changes are Meadhbh Nash at centre-back and Marie Clare Curtin in the half-forward line. Nash is a former county captain while Curtin is a Irish senior soccer international.
“The entire team is very good to work with.
“We started slowly, but we have really blossomed in the last five or six years. I’d say we are a totally different team now from when we started,” explained the manager of his team which is captained by Athea’s Sandra Larkin.
“We wanted to see everyone and we had to experiment,” said Stack of an extended panel which numbers over 35 at present.
While the team stand on the brink of history on Saturday Tommy Stack also has an eye on the All-Ireland championship which doesn’t start until August.
“We have to learn to go out with a plan. Keeping possession is a big thing for us. We want to be more aware of how important is it to hold onto the ball until the correct option is available,” Tommy Stack said.

Jerome O’Connell

Wallace issues Munster men with a rallying call

MUNSTER rugby fans are keeping their fingers crossed that Munster captain Paul O’Connell will this afternoon be named by coach Tony McGahan in the province’s squad to travel to San Sebastian.
O’Connell remains a major injury doubt for Sunday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Biarritz, but all other injury concerns have abated.
And, ahead of the trip to the Estadio Anoeta, Munster flanker David Wallace has issued a rallying call.
“We have to go out and attack them and attack them,” stated Wallace.
“I think it is going to be very difficult on Sunday. Obviously, the Ospreys played them, found some weaknesses, but they still didn’t win down there. We know it will be hard.


“Perhaps, the experience of five years ago, will help a bit.”
Wallace said that Munster will have to be at their battle-hardened best to get a result against the French.
“We will need to have that great cup rugby resolve about us to help grind out a win.”
Current Irish coach and former Munster supremo Declan Kidney believes the fact that home-grown Munster players grew up playing cup, knock-out, rugby at schools and club level stands to them in the cut and thrust of the Heineken Cup. David Wallace sees merit in the view.
“It is something Declan Kidney always used for motivation and maybe it’s psychological too that we are reared on Cup games.
“We have all come through systems where you need to win an individual game to progress in a competition.
“Maybe there is a different mentality to a scenario where a competition is decided over a long league season.
“In cup games it is mental, psychological as well as attitude that makes the difference between winning and losing. Maybe it does help coming from that background,” said Wallace.
While Munster’s Magners League ambitions were dented by last Saturday’s defeat to the Ospreys, Wallace said that reclaiming the Heineken Cup was always the top priority: “There is no avoiding it. The bigger competition, the one you want to win is the Heineken Cup. The Magners League is important too, but the Heineken Cup is the pinnacle, really.
“Having said that, ideally, you want to be winning both and you don’t want to be belittling one or the other.
“You want to be greedy and win as much as you can.
“If we win the Heineken Cup it will certainly be a very positive season for us. But we still want to win the league too,” he said.
Wallace is hoping that lessons learned in 2005 will stand to Munster.
“I remember Biarritz got a few penalties and built up a bit of a lead in the first half. It was only into the second half that we really started to have a go and we began to open them up. It was too little, too late. We produced a great second half after a pretty poor first half. Maybe there are lessons we can take from that ahead of Sunday’s game. Playing in Spain that time of the year, it is going to be warm. But I don’t think it is a major factor. You can use it as an excuse if you want. But certainly for myself, I actually prefer playing in warmer climates.”
He continued: “We played Biarritz in the 2006 final as well. It was just a great day. We had been knocking on the door a few times and we hadn’t gotten anything. This was our third time in the final and thoughts of coming away without the silverware was something you just couldn’t imagine. It was definitely a case of do-or-die.
“We had great support that day. Munster supporters totally outnumbered Biarritz - that was huge.”

COLM KINSELLA

‘Really targetting the Heineken Cup’

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan has admitted that Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Biarritz their season ‘is all about’.
Holders Munster still harbour strong ambitions of making it through to the Magners League semi-final play-offs, but coach McGahan said the side was fiercely determined to make up for their Heineken Cup semi-final defeat to Leinster last season.


Munster will appear in their ninth Heineken Cup semi-final when they lock horns with Biarritz at the Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian this Sunday 3.15pm. Munster have won four and lost four of their previous semi-final appearances.
Tony McGahan said: “We know that next weekend is what it is all about for us this year. We are really targetting the Heineken Cup.
“We want to get a result in the semi-final to go one step further than we did last year. We want to put ourselves in with the chance of collecting some silverware.
“We have shown that this year where we have had a disappointing resultm whether it has been the week before rounds one and two in the Heineken Cup or before the back-to-back fixtures at round three and four in the competition, that we have certainly come back.
“We have some guys to come back into the squad we will certainly re-group,” Tony McGahan said.
While team captain Paul O’Connell remains a major injury doubt ahead of Sunday’s game coach McGahan is confident that Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Ian Dowling and Nick Williams will be fit for inclusion in the squad.
Munster centre Jean de Villiers said that while Munster’s big-game experience had played a big role in their previous successes in Europe, the recent Magners League victory over Connacht showed that the younger members of the squad were capable of stepping up to the mark when called upon.
De Villiers said: “The secret to Munster’s success in the past has been the experiences they have had in these stages of the competition.
“You need the experienced guys around to get those results.
“Definitely, a guy like Paul (O’Connell) brings massive experience. So does Dougie (Howlett) and all the other guys who were not involved in the recent games due to injury,” de Villiers said.
“The depth we have created within the squad - the guys who played last weekend against Connacht for instance - shows the next generation coming through can also do the job.
“And probably if you look at the last eight days, those guys stepped it up for us and they got a result for us against Connacht whereas the experienced guys lacked it a bit against the Ospreys. We will have to do a bit of soul searching as well and hopefully come next weekend. We can have a full squad available and have the strongest team.”
Exciting Welsh winger Shane Williams is just one member of his team who believe Munster will prevail in Sunday’s presssure-cooker atmosphere at the Estadio Anoeta.
Williams, who has faced each of Sunday’s semi-finalists in recent weeks, believes Munster can cause the French side major problems as they bid to reach the May final at the Stade de France.
“Munster will have watched our game closely and they will realise Biarritz are beatable,” the Ospreys’ Shane Williams said.
“Anything can happen in the Heineken Cup, but we showed that you can score tries against Biarritz.
“We all know what kind of team Munster are and they will have to take their chances.
“They can’t afford to give away penalties or concede possession to the likes of Yachvili.”
Biarritz have been dealt a huge blow ahead of Sunday’s semi-final with the news that Damien Traille’s season is over. The French international centre hurt his forearm in Saturday’s 26-19 loss to Clermont in the Top 14 and will need four to six weeks to recover.
Biarritz could well welcome back international back-row forward Imanol Harinordoquy, who broke his nose against Racing-Metro last week for the game.
The big number eight underwent surgery last week, but could play on Sunday with a protective shield on his face.
Meanwhile Keith Earls has been short-listed for the annual Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year award.
The Munster man is nominated along with Tommy Bowe and Jamie Heaslip for the award which will be announced at a banquet on on Wednesday, May 12 at Dublin’s Burlington Hotel.
Earls is also nominated for the IRUPA Nature Valley Young Player of the Year Award along with fellow Munster man Scott Deasy and Connacht’s Fionn Carr.

Colm Kinsella

Minor hurlers hope to build on Ardscoil Ris’ success

THE Ger Hegarty-managed Limerick minor hurling side bid to follow their football counterparts and book a Munster Championship semi-final place this Wednesday evening (6.30pm).
In Fitzgerald Park in Kilmallock, Kerry will provide the opposition as Limerick seek to play either Cork or Tipperary in the provincial semi-final on June 24.
If Limerick suffer a shock defeat they would be back in action on Saturday, May 1 against Clare or Waterford.
Already the Limerick minor footballers have advanced to a semi-final in Newcastle West on May 12 against Kerry.
This Wednesday night, the minor hurlers will bid to prolong Limerick GAA’s winning streak after the county senior footballers claimed the National Football League Division Four title on Saturday in Croke Park.
“We have never spoken beyond Kerry because we are expecting a tough challenge.
“We know that we will only be judged against Cork or Tipperary, but we know that we face a real challenge against Kerry. They are going to be formidable opponents,” explained minor hurling manager Ger Hegarty of Wednesday night’s provincial quarter-final.
“Limerick hurling is in a low place and in need of a big lift,” acknowledged the minor manager.
“Last year we had victory against Waterford, but then it was snatched from our jaws.
“Lady luck really hasn’t shone on Limerick hurling in recent years,” remarked Hegarty.
Harty Cup champions Ardscoil Ris provide eight of the 30-man Limerick minor hurling panel - Alan Dempsey, Shane Dowling, Ciaran Keogh, Mark Ryan, Declan Hannon, John Fitzgibbon, Brendan O’Connor and Mark Carmody.
Three of the Ardscoil Ris contingent - Hannon, Dowling and Fitzgibbon, join Thomas Ryan and Stephen Foley as survivors from last season’s minor panel.
Last season Limerick lost to Tipperary and Waterford.
Ger Hegarty remains as manager and he is joined by Brian Begley (Mungret), Paul Finn (Bruff) and George Lee (Ahane).
“Ardscoil were marvellous and it helped us with our preparations and I stayed in touch with Derek Larkin,” explained Ger Hegarty.
“What we are all about is building a Limerick team for the future and we need more schools winning. Winning is a habit and breaths confidence,” he said.

Limerick panel: Alan Dempsey, Shane Dowling, Ciaran Keogh, Mark Ryan (all Na Piarsaigh), William Hickey, Patrick Carroll, Michael Ryan, Thomas Ryan (all South Liberties), Eoin Webb, Jake Mulcahy, Kevin O’Donnell, Mark O’Loughlin (all Kilmallock), Declan Hannon, John Fitzgibbon (both Adare), Barry Neville, Dan Morrissey, Richard Ryan (all Ahane), Stephen Foley, Brendan O’Connor (both Croagh-Kilfinny), David Reidy, Chris O’Riordan (both Dromin-Athlacca), Brian Hannigan (Feenagh-Kilmeedy), Mark O’Connell (Glenroe), Mike Fitzgibbon (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Brian Murphy (Fedamore), Jack Aherne (Kileedy), Mark Carmody (Patrickswell), Conor Sheehan (Cappamore), David Murphy (Kilteely-Dromkeen), Liam Ryan (Doon).

Jerome O’Connell

Paul O’Connell remains a Munster injury doubt

TEAM captain Paul O’Connell remains a major injury worry for Munster’s big Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Biarritz Olympique in San Sebastian on Sunday (3.15pm Irish time) - Munster coach Tony McGahan said O’Connell remained in a race against the clock to be fit for the crunch clash at the Estadio Anoeta.
However, coach McGahan expects Munster’s other main injury worries, Keith Earls, Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling and Nick Williams, to be available for selection for the big game which is a repeat of the 2006 Heineken Cup final.


“We are very hopeful that Ian Dowling and Doug Howlett will be available for selection. Nick Williams should be OK. Paul O’Connell is still in a race against the clock at this point in time. We’re doing everything possible to get him into the frame to play. But more importantly Paul needs to be in the frame to train because he hasn’t played for a long time. That’s the first obstacle, to train, then it’s a selection matter. Keith Earls should be OK too.”
Munster maintained their grip of the fourth and final play-off spot in the Magners League table despite suffering a disappointing 11-15 home defeat to the Ospreys at Thomond Park on Saturday night. However, the blow of suffering a first defeat to Welsh opposition at Thomond Park for six years, was softened by news of play-off chasing Edinburgh’s defeat by Ulster.
Munster currently enjoy a four-point lead over fifth-placed Cardiff Blues and sixth-placed Edinburgh. Munster face the Blues in Cardiff in their final regular season fixture on the weekend of May 7-9.
Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final opponents Biarritz suffered a 19-26 home defeat to Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14 at the weekend, but Munster coach McGahan believes current form counts for little in a knock-out game such as Sunday’s.
“At this stage I don’t really know if the current form holds any water. It’s a one-off game, it’s a semi-final,” Tony McGahan insisted.
“You saw that when we played Leinster here, close, but a little off the mark. But we came out and played well the following week (against Northampton). All teams have the capability of doing that. We have shown that this year where we have had a disappointing result whether it has been the week before rounds one and two in the Heineken Cup or before the back-to-back fixtures at round three and four in the competition that we have certainly come back.
“We have some guys to come back into the squad. We will certainly re-group. We know that next week is what it is all about for us this year. We are really targetting the Heineken Cup.
“We want to get a result in the semi-final to go one step further than we did last year. We want to put ourselves in with the chance of collecting some silverware,” Tony McGahan said.
Meanwhile, the Munster ‘A’ side are looking forward to facing the Cornish Pirates in the inaugural British and Irish Cup final at the Camborne Recreation Ground on Sunday, May 16 after disposing of the challenge of the Ulster Ravens at Thomond Park on Saturday. The final will be televised live by Sky Sports. On the club front, UL Bohemian are celebrating back-to-back wins in the Munster Junior Cup after recording an exciting 13-6 final victory over city rivals Young Munster at Dooradoyle yesterday.

COLM KINSELLA

Footballers target Munster championship

THE Limerick footballers are now targeting a Munster championship title after they ended a 114-year wait for a national title on Saturday.
Within minutes of capturing the National Football League Division Four title in Croke Park, thoughts had already turned to the provincial semi-final on June 6 when they face Waterford or Clare in the Gaelic Grounds.


“It can go to the head or we can get back down to the ground and realise that we haven’t gone beyond the first round of the championship and that is the bottom line,” said Limerick manager Mickey Ned O’Sullivan after the 1-16 to 1-14 win over Waterford on Saturday.
“These lads are long enough on the road to know that one swallow doesn’t make an autumn! Basically we need to knuckle down and come back next week to training,” explained the manager.
“Hopefully they can build on this and keep their feet on the ground. This is just another step towards the first round of the Munster championship. That’s the bottom line and it will be a ding-dong battle whoever comes out,” said Mickey Ned O’Sullivan of the Munster Championship.
“This is great for the football people of Limerick who have been toiling for over a hundred years and have kept the flag flying,” he said of the NFL title.
“It’s great for all the clubs who gave us the players and co-operation and the County Board, who have given us great support when things haven’t gone well and they never treated us like second class citizens - they have always given us 100 per cent support. We have 11 people in management and they have worked so hard,” outlined the Kerryman who is in his fifth season at the helm on Shannonside.
Limerick laboured in the opening minutes of the league decider until a fortuitous goal from Milford’s Ger Collins.
“We were fortunate, but you make your own luck and for long enough we weren’t getting any. The harder your try, the luckier you get - you take these things and you build on them,” said the manager.
Limerick trailed entering the final 10 minutes, but three late points secured a first national football title for the Shannonsiders since 1896.
“They (Waterford) dominated the breaks and that’s the area that was worrying me.
“I think the important thing is that we have a bench that can give us impetus in the last 10 minutes. Last year in the Munster final we didn’t have a bench, but today we emptied the bench and I felt we had the pace and fresh legs and lads had emptied the tank prior to that,” said Mickey Ned in the dressing room.
This week attention turns to the County Senior Football Championship.
On Thursday night (7.30pm), champions Drom-Broadford face Monaleen in Bruff while Claughaun travel to Askeaton to face St. Kieran’s. On Sunday (7.30pm) St. Patrick’s return to the senior grade when they play Ballysteen in Clarina.
Last evening the County Intermediate Football Championship kicked off with last season’s beaten finalists Na Piarsaigh getting off to a winning start with a 1-11 to 2-4 win over Athea.
Elsewhere in Group One Mungret lost to Hospital-Herbertstown, 0-10 to 0-7, while Mountcollins were 1-13 to 1-7 winners over Cappamore. In Group Two Bruff beat Galtee Gaels 1-7 to 1-2 while Oola defeated Gerald Griffins 2-10 to 0-9.

JEROME O’CONNELL

Pike await a date for FAI arbitration

PIKE Rovers are facing one of the most important periods in their history as the Limerick club prepares to enter arbitration following the FAI’s decision to throw the Hoops out of the FAI Junior Cup - Pike Rovers have submitted a letter to the FAI requesting an arbitration hearing with the national association expected to schedule that hearing within the next two weeks.
Almost a fortnight ago the defending District League champions were left reeling when news reached the club that the Football Association of Ireland had ruled against them and effectively thrown the Hoops out of the 2009-10 FAI Junior Cup at the semi-final stage.
Pike Rovers beat St. Michael’s 4-2 in the quarter-finals at Cooke Park, but the Tipperary club then lodged objections against six of the Pike players on the grounds that they were ineligible to take part in the competition.
The objection concerned the movement of players from League of Ireland clubs back to junior football.
Originally, the FAI Junior Council heard that appeal and ordered a replay of the game.
However, both Pike Rovers and St. Michael’s appealed that decision to the senior body. The FAI’s decision effectively means that St. Michael’s will now take on Clonmel Town in the FAI Junior Cup semi-finals with a place in the final against Limerick’s Fairview Rangers up for grabs.
Prominent members of the Pike Rovers club are furious that the FAI made their decision based on the ineligibility of a player during the earlier rounds of the competition.
St. Michael’s lodged an objection concerning their quarter-final clash, but the player in question was eligible for that particular game. Effectively the FAI made their decision based on the fact that the player was illegal during the earlier rounds of the competition even though no objection was lodged concerning those particular games.
The Pike Rovers players were devastated by the FAI’s decision and their suffering was made all the more acute when the club learned that their Munster Junior Cup semi-final against Carrick United (scheduled for Sunday, April 18) was postponed last week. The Munster Junior Council have decided to await the result of the arbitration process before deciding on what action to take in relation to Pike Rovers’ involvement in the Munster Junior Cup.
To make matters worse for Pike Rovers there is also the possibility that the FAI decision could affect their Kilmurry Lodge Premier League campaign. The Hoops are chasing a third consecutive league title, but following the recent FAI decision it is understood that at least two local clubs have approached the LDMC requesting that they be awarded the points from their encounters with Pike Rovers this season.

BRIAN MCDONNELL

Big hitters all set for McManus Pro-Am

TWO-time Major winner, Angel Cabrera, of Argentina, and rising US star Nick Watney were the latest big game golfers to join an outstanding field for the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am which will be staged at the Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort in July.


The 2005 Pro-Am winner Pádraig Harrington and Aston Villa Manager, Martin O'Neill were on hand this Thursday as guests of honour at the media launch of the spectacular two-day event on July 5 and 6.
The top-class line-up of players who have committed to playing in the tournament already include Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Anthony Kim, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Robert Allenby and Camilo Villegas. Ireland's three-time major champion Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell will head the home challenge.
Five years ago Harrington claimed the title when firing a superb second round course record of 63 to win the 36-hole tournament by six shots from South African Tim Clark.
Hopes remain high that world number one Tiger Woods, a previous winner of the Pro-Am in 2000, will also be teeing it up in Adare this July.
Speaking at the launch, tournament host JP McManus said: "We are very fortunate to have an outstanding field of top professionals who are giving their time and talent freely to support our tournament.
"We would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers, the organising committee as well as the European PGA Tour, Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, all our supporters and spectators who have helped make it all happen.
"We also appreciate the tremendous family and local community support and we look forward to working with everyone at what promises to be two days of world class golf and great fun," JP McManus said.
The aim of the Pro-Am is to support Mid-Western charities and groups in their work with the underprivileged and the disadvantaged.
All proceeds are donated in their entirety towards the development of these services and over €55 million has been raised since its inception in 1990. Once again, the beneficiary charities have been organising pre-qualifying tournaments throughout the country in a bid to enter teams in the Pro-Am.
Spectators can choose from one of eight different coloured 'two-day entrance caps' representing Ireland, Munster Rugby and each of the Munster counties.
At a cost of €50 each they can be purchased from the website on www.jpmcmanusproam.com or at selected retail outlets.
The golf event, which has a prize fund of €1 million is comprised of 56 teams of four players competing over two days (1 professional and 3 amateurs per team).
The addition of Angel Cabrera to the field is an exciting development. Cabrera made a breakthrough Major win when capturing the 2007 US Open at Oakmont Country Club and followed up with a thrilling play-off victory in the 2009 US Masters at Augusta National.
Currently ranked number 32 in the official world rankings, Cabrera has won over 20 tournaments worldwide in a hugely successful professional career which was encouraged by his compatriot and former tour player Eduardo Romero. The Argentine was made an honorary member of the PGA European Tour in 2007 in recognition of his US Open success.
Two-time PGA Tour winner Nick Watney is one of an exciting younger generation of American players who have impressed on the PGA Tour.
The 28-year-old Californian claimed a first tour success when winning the 2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans and confirmed his reputation as one of the emerging talents on tour when adding the 2009 Buick Invitational to his list of honours. Watney is currently ranked number 28 in the official world rankings.
JP McManus welcomed the addition of Cabrera and Watney to the world class field.
"We're delighted Angel and Nick have both agreed to play in the tournament. Angel is a truly global player who has thrilled golf fans all over the world and Nick is a truly exciting prospect who brings a freshness to the sport," JP McManus said.
The 2005 JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am event attracted an exceptional field of worldwide players including, Ben Curtis, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, John Cook, Rich Beem, Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Graham McDowell and Colin Montgomerie who came together with celebrities from the worlds of sport and entertainment to provide two days of great golf. Official figures recorded an attendance of over 49,000 spectators.

Colm Kinsella

McCarthy's future back in the spotlight

EMBATTLED hurling manager Justin McCarthy found himself back in the spotlight this week after Limerick's 31-point defeat to Dublin and relegation to Division Two.


One month after Justin McCarthy received a strong 83-47 vote of support at a special County Board meeting, debate again raged as to his future.
Not for the first time supporters called for his resignation or for the County Board to terminate his two-year stay in Limerick.
However, others remain steadfast in their belief that McCarthy's reign is the correct way forward. The heavy defeat in Parnell Park prompted a short meeting that evening in the Red Cow Hotel between McCarthy and Limerick GAA officials.
Again on Monday Limerick GAA chairman Liam Lenihan and secretary Mike O'Riordan met with McCarthy and then on Monday night a hastily arranged meeting of the Limerick GAA executive took place.
The leading officials of the board have backed McCarthy from the outset of the current saga last October, but after Monday night's special meeting all were remaining tight-lipped.
Earlier on Monday afternoon Justin McCarthy was present at City Hall in Limerick City where JP McManus was honoured by Limerick City Council with a civic reception to mark his recent success in the Aintree Grand National.
At that gathering JP McManus gave his backing to the current management team and panel.
"I am sure the current management team and everybody connected with Limerick hurling will do everything in their power to try to see that we do get back on top again," said the Limerick GAA sponsor.
"I was in Parnell Park…like a thousand other Limerick supporters yesterday. What can I say? I keep my fingers crossed for the future.
"I was thinking yesterday in Parnell Park….never, never, never give up.
"Success will come your way, but you have to keep working at it," said JP McManus.
"We gave 33 attempts trying to win the National (Aintree Grand National) and we didn't give up. It took Limerick 33 years to win one All-Ireland (1940-73), if they had given up in between we would never have won the one," said McManus.
Speaking to Leader Sport on Monday morning Justin McCarthy said that he would not be leaving his post.
He admitted to "disappointment" at his side's seven-game losing streak in the National Hurling League, but said he was turning his attention to planning for the championship against Cork or Tipperary on June 20.
"It's hard to take," said Justin McCarthy of the Dublin loss.
"Time is a healer and we just have to face up to it and try and lift ourselves up again.
"We have to move on and have to work on the team and maybe re-jigg things about. When a team strikes form they're very hard to beat. They took off and were out for revenge for last year and they were very hard to stop," he said.
"We were very disappointed the way it turned out - the biggest disappointment is that we were optimistic going up.
"We had form going into the game. I could see we were shaping up well with good sessions at training and we went into the game with good optimism. It is a learning curve and we will have to overcome it," said the Limerick manager.
The Dublin defeat sent Limerick crashing to NHL Division Two, but Justin McCarthy does not see this as the end of the world.
"We would all love to be in Division One, but the standard of Division Two is coming up and from an experience point of view maybe it mightn't be the worst thing in the world as we can regroup and learn the game at inter-county level," he said.
The manager said that Limerick would be moving forward to the championship with the current 34-man panel.
"They were all contacted," said McCarthy of the withdrawn players.
"We have done our level best to get them back on track and to build bridges."
As for the championship in June?
"All teams in the championships are serious and we are the one team who are trying to rebuild and that takes time," said McCarthy.

Jerome O'Connell

If a team ever deserved silverware it's this bunch of footballers

IF ever a team deserved some silverware it's this current crop of Limerick senior footballers, but unfortunately success is never a given.


On Saturday (5pm) they enter Croke Park in search of a Division Four National Football League title.
It could very well be the first of two vital meetings against Waterford as Limerick await either Clare or Waterford in the Munster Championship semi-final on June 6.
But there will be little time for shadow boxing in Saturday's national final which is being televised live on TG4.
Limerick's rare appearance in Croke Park forms a double-header with the Division Three final between Antrim and Sligo at 7pm.
It will be Limerick football's first time in Croker since the 2003 Division Two NFL final defeat to Westmeath.
Mark O'Riordan, Conor Mullane, John Galvin, Stephen Kelly, Stephen Lavin and Conor Fitzgerald all played in that heart-breaking defeat and are still involved with county senior football panel.
O'Riordan, Mullane, Galvin, Fitzgerald and Stephen Lucey were all on the Limerick side that won a historic Munster under-21 title in 2000 when they beat Waterford in the final, but silverware has eluded them since.
Limerick did win McGrath Cups in 2001, '04 and '05, but everywhere else Limerick have encountered heartbreak - 2003 NFL final and the Munster finals of 2003, '04 and '09.
Ahead of Saturday's final Limerick are already assured of promotion which means that Limerick will play in Division Three next season alongside Cavan, Wexford, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath, Tipperary and Waterford. Manager Mickey Ned O'Sullivan and selectors Donie Buckley, Paddy Ivess and Maurice Horan used a total of 31 players in the campaign.
For the NFL final Limerick are without the injured Stephen Lavin and Johnny McCarthy while the experienced Shane Gallagher, Stephen Lucey and Stephen Kelly are all listed among the substitutes.
Gallagher started all eight league games, but was forced off in the game against Leitrim with a leg injury and his spot at centre-back goes to Padraig Browne who played most games at wing-forward.
The goalkeeping spot is handed to under-21 'keeper Brian Scanlon, who only made his senior debut in the final round game against Leitrim.
John Galvin is soldiering with the Limerick seniors since 1999 and himself and Jim O'Donovan will need to give Limerick a midfield platform as they have done throughout the league. Waterford do have Mick Aherne and Tom Prendergast in midfield, but the Limerick pair are among the best in the country.
At both ends of the field the scores will come from the respective full-forward lines.
Limerick's James Ryan has been play-marker supreme to date, with Ger Collins and Ian Ryan applying the finishing touches while John Owens will be looking to Liam O'Lionain and former hurler Gary Hurney to account for many of the Waterford scores.
The bookies make Limerick 2/5 favourites and if they arrive in Dublin in the right frame of mind success should be achieved just as it did back in 1896 when LImerick defeated Waterford in the Munster final en route to the last national football silverware.
Tickets are on sale from the Gaelic Grounds for Saturday evening's final.
Only the Hogan Stand will be open and tickets are €20 for adults, €10 for student/senior citizens and €5 for juveniles.
Iarnrod Eireann have also scheduled special trains for the game and advise early booking due to limited availability.

Limerick: Brian Scanlon; Mark O'Riordan, Conor Mullane, Andrew Lane; Diarmuid Carroll, Padraig Browne, Pa Ranahan; Jim O'Donovan, John Galvin; John Mullane, Cormac Joyce-Power, Seanie Buckley; Ger Collins, James Ryan, Ian Ryan.
Subs: Conor Ranahan, Shane Gallagher, Eoghan O'Connor, Conor Fitzgerald, John Cooke, Eoin Joy, Stephen Lucey, Stephen Kelly, Garrett Noonan.

Jerome O'Connell

O'Connell and Earls fight to be fit

INSPIRATIONAL team captain Paul O'Connell and the in-form Keith Earls are in a race against time to be fit for Munster's mammoth Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Biarritz on Sunday week.


Both O'Connell and Earls, who are troubled with groin injuries, have been omitted from the Munster squad for Saturday evening's crunch Magners League clash with the Ospreys at Thomond Park (6.30pm).
With Munster's Heineken Cup clash with Biarritz in San Sebastian on Sunday, May 2 looming large on the horizon, the pair are facing an uphill battle to be available for the semi-final fixture.
Nick Williams, who starred in Munster's win over Connacht at the weekend in Galway, is also ruled out of Saturday's Thomond Park fixture with a similar injury.
Munster manager Payne is confident that wingers Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling will be available for the Biarritz clash although neither player will be involved in the Magners League game this weekend as they are recovering from injury.
While Payne said he remained confident both O'Connell and Earls would be available for the Biarritz clash, the fact that neither will see any action against the Ospreys must be of concern.
"Keith Earls and Paul O'Connell have groin injuries. They are hangovers from the Six Nations internationals," Shaun Payne said.
"Groin strains are strange injuries. They can flare up and then settle down. It is an injury which needs rest. We are trying to manage Keith's workload. We would be confident both will be available, but it is not like a broken arm which heals within a certain amount of time. These are difficult injuries and very frustrating injuries for us to deal with. It is a waiting and seeing situation.
"There will be a cut-off point by which we will make a decision (over Biarritz match). We need them training. Obviously you cannot go into a game without any preparation work at all."
In-form Munster can take a giant step towards securing their place in the knock-out stages of the Magners League with victory over the Ospreys in their penultimate regular season game.
Munster and the Ospreys are deadlocked on 43 points, but the Welsh side occupy second place as a result of their superior points difference.
Munster, featuring three players making their competitive debuts in the backline, maintained their play-off hopes with a gritty victory over Connacht on Sunday.
Manager Payne admitted the victory in Galway was a pleasing one.
"It was a very satisfying win, I have to say. We all had big smiles on our faces after that, especially with such a changed squad form the week before. Some of the young lads were outstanding. The forwards in particular I must say were very good," Payne admitted.
"The Ospreys game was always going to be important for us, for the reasons stated that it is leading up to a semi-final game.
"At this time of the year there are all sorts of permutations going on. Every single game is very important."
Meanwhile Munster Rugby have announced that tickets for the province's Heineken Cup semi-final showdown with Biarritz in San Sebastian on Sunday, May 2 have gone on public sale.
Match tickets, priced between €15 and €45, can be purchased online from munsterrugby.ie from the Ticket Office at Thomond Park in Limerick or from the Munster Rugby office on Tramore Road in Cork. The online sale will close at 2pm this Saturday as unsold tickets to the ERC on Monday next.
Munster squad v Ospreys: Alan Quinlan, Billy Holland, Damien Varley, Danny Barnes, Dave Foley, Dave Ryan, David Wallace, Denis Hurley, Donncha O'Callaghan, James Coughlan, Jean de Villiers, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Julien Brugnaut, Lifeimi Mafi, Marcus Horan, Mick O'Driscoll, Niall Ronan, Paul Warwick, Peter O'Mahony, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Scott Deasy, Simon Zebo, Tom Gleeson, Tomas O'Leary and Tony Buckley.

Junior inter-pros
THE Munster junior side begin their inter-provincial championship campaign away to Leinster at Seapoint this Saturday.
The Munster squad selection process started back in early December with more than 80 players attending screening sessions. Team manager, Tony Daly explained that the squad draws players from Divisions One, Two and Three of the Munster Junior League with 13 clubs represented.
Munster Junior Panel - Forwards: Martin Clifford (Cobh Pirates), Glen Deacon (Waterpark), Trevor Downes (Kilrush), Edward English (Kanturk), Daragh Fitzgerald (St Mary's), J.J. Frahill (Cobh Pirates), John Gilmartin (Tralee), David Hogan (St Mary's), Thomas Kevany (Cobh Pirates), Joe McSwiney (Waterpark), Barry Moloney (Cashel), Declan Moloney (Newcastle West), Jack O'Sullivan (Kilfeacle & District), Philly Ryan (Cashel), captain; Barry Wright (Kinsale), Tadgh Wright (Kinsale). Backs: Liam Casey (Galbally), Barry Gibbons (St. Mary's), Michael Hickey (Cashel), David Joyce (Clonmel), Gerry Martin (Newcastle West), Daragh Meade (Kanturk), Peter Murphy (Kinsale), Daragh O'Brien (Cashel), Stephen O'Brien (Old Christians), Pat O'Connor (Cashel), Diarmuid O'Connor (Cashel), Brian Silke (Cashel), Michael Twohig (Kanturk).
Team Manager: Tony Daly. Selectors: Kevin O'Dwyer, Christy McNamara; Masseur: Steve Mulvihill.
Fixtures - Saturday, April 24 v Leinster, Seapoint RFC, Dublin. Saturday, May 1 v Ulster, Abbeyfeale RFC. Saturday, May 8 v Connacht, Ballincollig RFC.

Jerome O'Connell