Ulster rocked by long-term injury blows
GARY Smyth says he’s looking forward to working alongside legendary boss Ronnie McFall and is confident Glentoran’s new management team will be a success.
McFall will continue as the club’s manager with Smyth agreeing a three-year contract as his assistant. Another Glentoran legend, Paul Leeman, will help nurture the club’s young talent as part of his three-year deal while Kieran Harding remains as first team coach.
McFall needs to remain the club’s manager while Smyth and Leeman gain the Uefa A Licence required to manage in the Premiership.
“Everyone will have an input in the new structure, it’s not a one man band and it can work well,” said Smyth, who has quit as H&W Welders boss. “Ronnie’s got huge experience and you’ve got to tap into that. I want to make Glentoran fans feel proud of our club again.” ULSTER backs Luke Marshall and Louis Ludik are f acing lengthy lay-offs after picking up injuries in last Sunday’s Champions Cup play-off win over the Ospreys.
Their respective injuries look like being a massive blow for Ulster as both could be absent for most of the next campaign.
Marshall left the field on the medical cart after sustaining a knee injury during the second half of Sunday’s season-ending clash which Ulster won 35-17.
It is thought that the 27-year-old
Ireland international centre will require s urger y af t er sustaining serious damage to his knee and is likely to be out for most of next season.
Ludik ( above) also departed the game at Kingspan Stadium in clear discomfort, though he was helped off early on.
The 31-year-old Irish-qualified South African utility back is thought to have badly damaged his hamstring.
Also rehabbing a knee injury is prop Tom O’Toole, who played for 80 minutes on Sunday after Ross Kane’s late withdrawal.
The 19 - year- old was withdrawn yesterday from Ireland’s Under-20s squad for their World Championships in France.
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