Ahern and O'Donoghue both named in Munster side for first home game of the season
Waterford’s Tom Ahern and Jack O’Donoghue are both named in the Munster 23 for this weekend's clash with Cardiff. Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie
Waterford's Tom Ahern and Jack O'Donoghue have been named in the Munster 23 for the province's first home game in this season's BTK United Rugby Championship this weekend.
Having beaten Scarlets away in the opening round, new boss Clayton McMillan will enjoy his first outing at Thomond Park on Saturday (October 4) as Munster face Welsh opposition once more, this time in the form of Cardiff.
Ahern was named on the bench last week with O'Donoghue starting in the back row; however, the roles are reversed this time around, with Ahern in from the start and O'Donoghue among the replacements.
Ardmore man Ahern is proficient in the second row, but has been named in the back row by McMillan where he will wear the number six jersey worn by his Déise counterpart O'Donoghue last week.
Ahern was one of four try-scorers in that game as Munster won 34-21 and left Parc y Scarlets with all five points.
The win was not without its cost, however, as Munster left the game with a worryingly large injury list that now includes the likes of Craig Casey, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen, JJ Hanrahan, Mike Haley, John Ryan and more.
Cardiff also began with a bonus-point win last week, beating South African side, the Lions, by 33-20.
The game kicks off at 7.45pm in Limerick with live coverage on TG4 and Premier Sports.
Ben O'Connor; Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Finee Wycherley; Tom Ahern, Ruadhan Quinn, Gavin Coombes.
Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Ronan Foxe, Jack O'Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Sean O'Brien.
Munster's next game next Friday night in Musgrave Park, Cor, against Edinburgh.
