Connacht Monitor Injuries Ahead Of Cardiff Trip
The Connacht squad trained today ahead of their RaboDirect PRO 12 clash with the Cardiff Blues on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm). There were a number of knocks picked up during their bruising 22-10 victory over defending champions, the Ospreys.
Nathan White and Rodney Ah You both left the pitch with injuries last Friday but the two props have recovered fully and were back training today.
Centre David McSharry missed out on the game against the Ospreys due to a groin injury and the 23-year-old remains doubtful for this weekend’s trip to the Arms Park.
Eoin Griffin, Andrew Browne and Johnny O’Connor did not train today but all three will continue to be monitored before the team is announced on Thursday afternoon.
Other injury concerns arising from last weekend include winger Tiernan O’Halloran and number 8 Eoin McKeon, as well as recent returnees Gavin Duffy and Kyle Tonetti.
While George Naoupu has returned to light training, the versatile forward is required to see a specialist for his neck next week and so will not be involved this Friday night.
The 19-year-old Robbie Henshaw remains with the Ireland camp as they prepare for their RBS 6 Nations encounter with Scotland this weekend.
Ireland international Mike McCarthy, who played against Wales and England recently, is unavailable due to a medial ligament strain.
Meanwhile, Galway’s first Olympian and former Connacht number 8 Cummin Clancy has sadly passed away at his home in Garden City, New York at the age of 90.
A former national discus champion and record holder, Oughterard native Cummin represented Ireland at the Olympic Games in London in 1948, having qualified after winning the British AAA Championship less than a month earlier.
In doing so, he became the first Galway athlete to represent his county at the Olympic Games.
In addition to having a very successful career as an athlete, Cummin had an equally impressive rugby CV with St. Mary’s in Dublin and Connacht in the mid to late 1940s.
In this time, he lined out for Connacht for three seasons and, indeed, in the Olympic year of 1948, Clancy was to the fore for the province in the Interprovincial series and scored Connacht’s only try of the season in their defeat to Munster at the Mardyke.
Despite living most of his life in the United States, where he attended and competed for the renowned Villanova University, Cummin – a grand uncle of former Galway footballer Matthew Clancy – never forgot his west of Ireland roots.
He, along with his wife Maureen and five children, visited his home in Glann, Oughterard without fail for 50 years until 2010.
Indeed, in 2009, Cummin was honoured as the Hall of Fame recipient at the 44th County Galway Sports Stars Awards.
It proved to be an emotional occasion for Cummin, his family, extended family and the large gathering of local sporting heroes. It was due recognition of a true sporting legend.
Cummin will be laid to rest on Wednesday (February 20) in Garden City, New York. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.