First Celtic Cup start for Casey as Munster A name team for Leinster clash

The Munster A side has been named for Friday night’s Celtic Cup clash against Leinster at Irish Independent Park (7.30pm).

Academy player Jack Daly captains the side for the first time with seven changes to the side that were beaten by a strong Dragons team at Rodney Parade last week.

Senior scrum-half Craig Casey is among the additions along with Academy players Alex McHenry, Eoghan Clarke and Eoin O’Connor as club players Harry O’Riordan, Luke Masters and Luke Clohessy also come into the starting XV.

Casey and O’Riordan will make their Celtic Cup debuts in the clash.

Alan Tynan starts at full-back with Matt Bowen and Rob Hedderman named on either flank. McHenry and O’Riordan partner up in the centres with Casey and Ben Healy forming the half-back pairing.

Masters, Clarke and Corrie Barrett pack down in the front row with O’Connor and Paddy Kelly in the engine room. David Hyland, captain Daly and Clohessy are named in the back row.

Munster A: Alan Tynan (Academy); Matt Bowen (UCC), Harry O’Riordan (UCC), Alex McHenry (Academy), Rob Hedderman (UCC); Ben Healy (Academy), Craig Casey (senior); Luke Masters (Cork Constitution), Eoghan Clarke (Academy), Corrie Barrett (Garryowen); Eoin O’Connor (Academy), Paddy Kelly (Academy); David Hyland (Cork Constitution), Jack Daly (Academy) (C), Luke Clohessy (Shannon).

Replacements: Scott Buckley (UCC), Mark Donnelly (Shannon), James Kendrick (Cashel), Kevin Seymour (Garryowen), Cian Hurley (Clonakilty), Charlie O’Doherty (Young Munster), Jack Crowley (Bandon), Pa Ryan (Shannon).