Tier is far from stone certainty
CONNACHT are sweating over the fitness of Tiernan O’halloran and Sean O’brien as they seek to get back to winning ways against conference leaders Glasgow this weekend.
O’halloran sustained a foot injury in the chastening defeat to Ospreys last Friday, while O’brien sustained a nasty cut to his head and is going through head injury return to play protocols.
Coach Jimmy Duffy called for an improved performance in Scotland this weekend and insisted the Irish international back is still in with a chance of being fit.
“His (O’halloran) foot swelled up after the game but they put him in a boot and the medics are looking after him,” said Duffy.
“He was bouncing around the place yesterday, so I think it was just precautionary. Hopefully he will be in a good space for the weekend.
“Any player that is a doubt we wouldn’t take a chance on anyway, but by all accounts his name was in the mix yesterday. Fingers crossed he’ll be available.”
After last weekend’s 39-10 defeat at the Liberty Stadium head coach Kieran Keane said his team were consistently bullied and physically bettered, but on reflection Duffy thinks there was no lack of effort on display. He urged patience from supporters after a below par campaign.
“After the game you might be disappointed with areas and you may identify an area that’s a problem for you, but when you look back at it I don’t necessarily think (we were bullied).
They were massive learnings for us and I think we are stronger for it.”