AFTER CONSULTING WITH a specialist, Connacht centre Dave McSharry will sit out the remainder of the season.
The centre has endured a torrid time with injury over the past year. The Dubliner returned after nine months sidelined with a knee injury in December, but the comeback was cut short after just two minutes by a concussive blow.
The 26-year-old has not played for Connacht since that Challenge Cup clash against Newcastle and the western province today confirmed that it he will not pull a jersey on again until next season.
In a statement today, Connacht say:
“Having sustained a number of concussions in the past 12 months, Dave McSharry has been reviewed by a specialist. He has been advised to undertake a period of rest from the game for the remainder of the current season.”
McSharry, who joins former Connacht lock Mike McCarthy in an extended post-concussion break from the game, is contracted with the Westerners next season and will continue to train with Pat Lam’s squad during non-contact sessions.
After ruling Eoghan Masterson out for the season with knee ligament damage yesterday, Connacht will send the back row to consult with a surgeon tomorrow.
Jake Heenan (hip-pointer), Eoin McKeon (ankle sprain) and Craig Ronaldson (minor knee ligament injury) are doubts for Sunday’s Pro12 meeting at home to Ospreys but the province are hopeful that at least part of that trio may yet pull through.
A knee-cap injury picked up in training will rule young centre Rory Parata out of at least the next two fixtures, but the 21-year-old is awaiting feedback from his surgical consultation to determine the full extend of repair required.
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Connacht have some turnover in injuries. Jesus.
They still play the best rugby on the island.
McSharry is worryingly concussion-prone
Bad for someone as young as McSharry but I honestly can’t see McCarthy playing again he’s not a young fella anymore and he’d found a great vein of form too.
Sad for McShaz. Hope he makes a full recovery. Health has to be first
Poor fella
So if parata mcsharry and ronaldson are injured and henshaw is with Ireland, is pewharangi fit to play? Cause I can’t think of any more Connacht centres…
Aside from Aki obviously. I’m wondering who can partner him
Peter Robb. Pooleman can cover centre too, fingers crossed Ronaldson recovers in time though. Same with Jake and Eoin tough games ahead!
Conor Finn was pictured training in this week Inpho Photo’s, so he could be about to return too…
Yeah seen that alright, Ospreys would be a huge game to come back too. Wonder how Api is progressing seems to have the raw potential and frame to be the serious threat!