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Former Ireland wing Kearney set for months on sideline

Dave Kearney of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Emirates Lions at RDS Arena in Dublin. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Former Ireland wing Dave Kearney is set for months on the sideline after undoing surgery on a hamstring injury.

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It’s the latest setback for the 32-year-old who won 19 caps between 2013 and 2019.

“Unfortunately, Dave Kearney had a procedure last week for a hamstring injury and will be unavailable for a number of months,” Leinster said in a statement.

Kearney has been hit by a number of consecutive injuries in recent years, which have seen him fall from an Ireland regular during the latter part of the Joe Schmidt era to a player whose struggle for fitness has seen him drop down the pecking order in Leinster.

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Chris Ashton | Rugby Roots

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Chris Ashton | Rugby Roots

The was good news elsewhere on the Leinster injury front.

“There is positive news for both Ciarán Frawley and Conor O’Brien as the former came through the game against Connacht Rugby with no issues after his return from a facial injury. O’Brien has returned to full training after recovering from a hamstring injury.

“Ross Byrne was withdrawn for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) in the first half against Connacht Rugby, which he passed, but he was removed with a dental injury. He will be further assessed as the week goes on before a final decision is made on his availability.”

There was no updates on a number of Leinster’s Ireland stars who were injured during the Guinness Six Nations, which included: prop Andrew Porter (ankle), lock James Ryan (concussion), back row Ryan Baird (back) and hooker Rónan Kelleher (shoulder).

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Nor was there an update on Michael Milne, Jordan Larmour or Will Connors, who are also currently sans combat.

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B
BeamMeUp 52 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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