MUNSTER’S Sean Dougall makes his All-Ireland League debut for Dolphin tonight when they take on Garryowen in Dooradoyle, kick-off 7.30 pm.
The former Ulster and Rotterham openside flanker has, along with utility back Danny Barnes, been released back to his nominated club for the opening game of the 2012/13 Ulster Bank Division 1A season, which continues tomorrow with a full programme of matches.
And both players are straight into the mix for Dolphin with Dougall named at openside and Barnes named on the wing – the confrontation between Dougall and Garryowen’s Munster player Barry O’Mahony will be particularly fascinating tonight.
Dougall has been an instant hit with Munster, excelling in their opening three Celtic League games. He is released this weekend from the professional side as Niall Ronan continues his comeback with his second successive start for the side.
It is to Dolphin’s advantage that Dougall has been released, especially as they are without blindside flanker Dave O’Callaghan.
O’Callaghan is another who has impressed for Munster in the opening weeks of the season. He is rested this weekend as Tommy O’Donnell gets a chance to impress from the start and Peter O’Mahony is named among the Munster replacements.
Dolphin also have tighthead prop Christy Condon – he is not on a full professional contract – available and he is named in the front-row alongside Ireland U20 and Dolphin captain Niall Scannell.
The Musgrave Park side do, however, have some injury concerns tonight with out-half Barry Keeshan facing a late fitness test on his groin injury, although it is expected the team’s conductor will come through unscathed.
There is one very interesting name among the Dolphin replacements for tonight’s game in James Kiernan, son of former Ireland international and club legend Michael Kiernan. The youngster played with Pres last season, making his name as a wing but can play anywhere across the backline.
Michael won 46 Ireland caps and also represented the British & Irish Lions on the 1983 tour and also played for PBC, Cork before joining Dolphin.
Meanwhile, Donnacha Ryan will make his seasonal debut for Munster off the bench tomorrow night as he is also included among the replacements for the trip to Rodney Parade to face Ospreys. Ryan has been slow back into the mix after a hip injury sustained during Ireland’s summer tour hindered his pre-season.
 MUNSTER: D Hurley, D Howlett, K Earls, C Laulala, S Zebo, R O’Gara, C Murray, W du Preez, M Sherry, S Archer, D O’Callaghan, B Holland, T O’Donnell, N Ronan, P Butler.
Replacements: D Varley, D Kilcoyne, BJ Botha, D Ryan, P O’Mahony, P Stringer, I Keatley, J Downey.