Kearney Joins Connacht’s Injury List
Following Connacht’s 42-19 European Challenge Cup win over Bayonne on Saturday, Pat Lam’s squad were back to full training today as they prepare for the return trip to France next weekend.
Michael Kearney was the only major injury concern from the five-try triumph at the Sportsground. The 23-year-old lock was replaced in the sixth minute after going down with an ankle sprain.
An MRI is scheduled for this evening to determine the extent of the damage and length of time he will spend on the sidelines.
Kearney’s second row partner Quinn Roux experienced mild ankle aggravation during the game but has been cleared to resume training this week.
Andrew Browne is still struggling with a knee injury and will be unavailable to the coaching team this week, while scrum half Ian Porter has also been ruled out of traveling as he continues rehab on a foot sprain.
In better news, winger Niyi Adeolokun has returned to full training and is now available to play. The backs division were also boosted by the return to training of Tiernan O’Halloran, who will be hoping to make his seasonal debut over the Christmas period.
Connacht Eagles are also in action this week in the final round of the British & Irish Cup. Nigel Carolan’s charges will welcome Bristol to the Sportsground for a 2pm kick-off on Saturday.
The Eagles played the English side back in round 1 in October in what was a high-scoring game at Ashton Gate Stadium, finishing 50-34 in favour of the hosts.
Carolan will be without the services of hooker Pat O’Toole who started in the front row away to Pontypridd on Saturday. The Corinthians clubman sustained a high ankle sprain and is expected to be out of action for up to six weeks.