‘It is bad news’ – Denis Leamy rues loss of Jack O’Donoghue for Munster and Ireland
Munster's Jack O'Donoghue leaves the field to receive medical attention for a knee injury during the United Rugby Championship defeat to Connacht on New Year's Day. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Denis Leamy says there is no “silver lining” for Jack O’Donoghue despite the flanker not being required to face a surgeon’s knife following the devastating knee injury sustained in the New Year’s Day defeat to Connacht.
Munster revealed today that Waterford man O’Donoghue will not require surgery on his knee injury and will be managed conservatively by the medical department but will remain unavailable for three to four months.
"Look, it is bad news,” said Leamy. “There's a silver lining there in that I wasn't speaking to him today but we expected the worst after the incident.
“It was unfortunate in terms of the injury he sustained but three or four months isn't the end of the world, fortunately. You could be looking at six to nine from that point of view.
"He's a guy we'll miss, a great squad player. The Six Nations is coming up and he would have been vital to us over that period with his leadership and his experience. Unfortunately, that's not to be but fingers crossed he'll be back before the end of the season."
Prop Oli Jager, who has not played since that game either after receiving a concussive blow, could be in line to feature against Northampton Saints this Saturday as Munster bid to confirm their Champions Cup knock-out progress.
"It's ongoing. Oli trained today and he seemed to come through pretty well. We'll see how that goes in the next 24 hours but fingers crossed, he's looking good. We're hopeful," he said.
“Peter O’Mahony, Niall Scannell and Joey Carbery came back and we had to look at their training load the last couple of days but all are on track to be involved at the weekend again, so that's really good for us.
“We’d no injuries from the weekend. It’s a funny old game, isn’t it? In Connacht we lose two players in the first-half to bad injuries. Sometimes that happens but it’s brilliant to get on a plane and guys were in good spirts.
“We’re after winning and you look at the medical report and it’s almost green. There’s a couple of ambers and that’s never the worst thing. Yeah, it was good to see that.”
There is good news for Jack Daly (ankle) as he returns to training this week.
Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles) and Mike Haley (hip) are increasing their training demands and will target a return to play in the coming weeks.
Continuing to rehab: Jack O’Donoghue (knee), Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Jean Kleyn (eye/knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles).
