REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U21 star Liam Kerrigan is set for a lengthy lay-off after suffering an ACL tear.
Kerrigan, who joined Serie B side Como 1907 earlier this year, explained on Instagram that he suffered the injury during training last week.
Earlier today, the 22-year-old was ruled out of Jim Crawford’s squad for their upcoming European Championship play-offs as four changes were announced due to injury.
“This is so tough to write,” Kerrigan begins.
“But, during training last week I got injured. My ACL is torn. The pain was so intense but faded quickly so much so I thought I was ok but the coaching staff knew straight away something was not right.
“Although not on the pitch on Saturday I was there in the stands cheering on the team, celebrating the goals and I will be there as much as I can, because this is my team now.
“Although this is a massive blow for me, I am so grateful that I have a club like this behind me. I know they will do everything they can to get me back playing again and are already doing so. As much as I would love that to be in a few weeks I know I have to be patient and recover, get strong again.
“My Serie B debut was such a massive moment, that goal is etched in my memory. I know we have not had the start we wanted but I know the team has what it takes to turn our fortunes round.
“Today, I am getting some specific tests and then we will figure out what will be the best treatment. All I know is that I can’t wait to get back in shape and be able to play in front of the fans again.”
Ireland face Israel in the first leg of their play-off at Tallaght Stadium on Friday and will travel to Tel Aviv for the return leg next Tuesday.
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Jamie Cudmore up against O’Connell yet again. This one could get spicy.
Culmore isn’t fit to lace O Connells boots.
Cudmore is a thug and O’Connell is a legend of the game. No competition.
I agree Cudmore is a thug. But jesus he put in a shift today. Credit where credit is due and all that…
Cudmore and Lee smashed OConnell &Co backwards all night long.
Cmon the red army.
Best dressing room ever!!
I hope Munster don’t lose.they done enough whinging on here when they won against ulster the other week.imagine the cribs and crystal from them if they lose
Christmas can come early tonight…..Come on Munster!
Jesus Christ munster are brutal
A loss would end Munsters interest? That’s a tad presumptuous, a loss would be a major setback but they’d still have every chance to go through!
Come on Munster!!
Which Clermont will show up??should be a great contest..
Munsters game plan.
Do nothing for ages.
Get into the Clermont half
Drop the ball
Some first half performance from clermont, one of the best I’ve seen from an away side at thomond park.
Well done Clermont. Massive defense. Better team all round. Munster just not at the races today.
Munster tackling isn’t great.
Amazing from Clermont. Convincing winners. Completely deserved that. Their fans were amazing too. #16th man.
Munster need to pull out socks up rapidly. Keep it simple… simple.
Barnes… the rules apply to both teams hy the way
So many knock-on’s at crucial moments, most of them from Cronin.
Not good enough at this level.
Does wayne barnes be watching something entirely different to the rest of us?
thetruth, we’re not blaming the referee this time. He was 80% correct all evening. Munster just did not play the way we hoped they would.
#BringinJOE in for this team talk
Munster half backs are awful today.
They were behind a failing breakdown, so Murray was under enormous pressure all the time, so I wouldn’t blame him too much, but Keatley was pretty poor all round I thought.
Munster are just handing this game to Claremont
Clermont may have the points so far, but watching Munster, I can’t see them losing this. Come on the boys in red.
Wrong Peter.
All smart after the fact, eh, captain hindsight?
Munster made basic errors. Our kicking game was very poor. We butchered three separate mauls by dropping the ball and set piece was hit and miss. Injury meant there weren’t quality bench players to call upon and just beaten at our own game by a superior side.
keatley’s kicks tonight…??!
Media’s darling Conor
Murray’s kicks were even worse. Gerry Thornley won’t be able to do his usual love in if he’s reporting this game.
Clermont were up for this match tonight. Hugely intense & Munster couldn’t deal with it especially up front where Munster planned to dominate.
Some match as intense as a full test match.