Flannery out for four weeks

MUNSTER have been dealt a major blow ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Cup pool match with Benetton Treviso following confirmation that hooker Jerry Flannery is set to be sidelined for up to four weeks with a calf muscle tear.


Flannery sustained the injury while training with the Munster squad in Limerick this Tuesday. A scan revealed the extent of the injury and indicated that Flannery would be out of action for up to four weeks. The injury puts Flannery’s participation in next month’s Guinness autumn international series in some doubt. Ireland are due to face Australia in their opening game in the series on Sunday, November 15 at Croke Park.
Declan Kidney’s side will then face Fiji at the RDS six days later, before rounding off their programme with a tie against World champions South Africa at Croke Park on Saturday, November 28.
This is the second major injury setback 30-year-old Flannery has suffered in recent months. An elbow injury forced the Limerickman to miss out on the Lions tour to South Africa.
Meanwhile, Dolphin’s James Coughlan will lead a strong Munster ‘A’ side when they take on Leinster at Clonmel RFC this Friday evening.
The Munster backline shows just one change from the one that played in the 28-11 defeat of Ulster at Shaws Bridge last month. Garryowen’s Ronan O’Mahony is named on the right wing in place of Ian Dowling who has been elevated to the province’s Heineken Cup squad.
Thomond’s Declan Cusack, who was very impressive in the victory over Ulster, will again start at out-half. Up front there are changes aplenty with Dave Kilcoyne- selected in place of Dave Ryan- alongside Mike Sherry and Stephen Archer. Ian Nagle is absent through injury so Dave Foley’s second row partner is dependant on who is left of out of the Heineken Cup match day squad. Coach Anthony Foley gave his side a run-out in UL this Tuesday and afterwards expressed his satisfaction at where his squad were at right now.
“I’d be very pleased with the strength of the side, obviously mixing the Academy players with Development and Contracted,” Anthony Foley said.
“We’re coming off a good first outing against Ulster and we see these games as really good preparation for the upcoming British & Irish Cup that kicks off in November. Our objective is to build a side, build a culture that hasn’t been there before and go into that competition with a degree of confidence.”
Assisted by Ian Costello, Foley was quick to enlist former Munster captain Mick Galwey as his team manager.
“Gallimh was keen to get back on board and we were delighted to have him involved. The players too. He’s a massive figure to them. He has a great manner around the squad. Very positive influence.”

Munster ‘A’ v Leinster: Danny Riordan; Ronan O’Mahony, Tom Gleeson, Scott Deasy, Danny Barnes; Declan Cusack, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Dave Foley, AN Other; Billy Holland, Tommy O’Donnell, James Coughlan capt. Replacements: Sean Henry, Pa O’Regan, Kieran Essex, Peter O’Mahony, Paul Rowley, Andrew Burke, Simon Zebo.

Colm Kinsella