Victory At A Cost

Munster’s Magners League victory over title holders Ospreys at Thomond Park Stadium last night came at a high cost with three of those forced off with injury facing lengthy spells on the sideline.

Ian Dowling lasted all of fourminutes before being helped from the field to be replaced by Ronan O'Gara. It transpired that Dowling had injured his right hip. He was removed to the Regional Hospital where he will undergo further examination today to determine the extent of the injury.

Next to go was Denis Fogarty with a shoulder injury and finally with just seven minutes of normal time remaining, Felix Jones hobbled off having injured a knee. Jones left the stadium later that evening on crutches and the knee heavily iced. He will wait until the swelling goes down before further assessment can be made.

In light of that tale of injury woe, encouraging news from the A Interprovincial from Friday night was the return to action of Lfeimi Mafi, who scored a try, the form of Denis Hurley and young full back Sean Scanlon and just as significantly perhaps,  the performance of Sean Henry in the number 2 jersey.