O’Gara prays for mini-miracle

RONAN O’GARA was last night praying for a mini-miracle, in the hope the ankle injury sustained at the feet of Brett Sinkinson would respond to intensive treatment in advance of the Six Nations clash with Scotland.

But O’Gara had another miserable day in Naas yesterday and failed to take any active part in Ireland’s training session.

He admitted: “I was really hobbling around. I am not anywhere near being up to speed on match pace and I’m a bit worried.”

O’Gara was heading off for another session of physiotherapy treatment last evening and expressed doubts as to his fitness.

“In a sense, this is being left up to myself because I’m the only one who knows how the ankle is. Basically, there isn’t much damage, although I have strained a medial ligament and there is some bruising.

“It’s not a long-term injury but it is causing a bit of concern and I haven’t been able to train. It’s a bit puffy and it’s more annoying than anything else.

“The decision will be made within 24 hours. If it’s not any better, then I won’t be travelling with the team.”

That would mean a certain call-up for David Humphreys, who will be heading rapidly towards his 50th cap for Ireland if he plays against the Scots.

And Ireland have drafted Paul Burke into the senior squad as fresh doubts emerged about the fitness of O’Gara.

Burke, the former Cork Constitution and Bristol player, now with Harlequins, has 12 caps to his credit but the last of those was won as a reserve against Romania two seasons ago.

His first cap was in 1995 against England and since his last has had to be content with appearances for Ireland at A level.

He was one of two nominated in the A squad along with Barry Everitt and his elevation now appears to open the way for Everitt, the most recent London Irish star, to fill the number ten slot in that secondary squad.

Welsh flanker Sinkinson was subsequently handed a six-match ban for the O’Gara incident by the Welsh Rugby Union.

There is absolutely no chance O’Gara will take up one of the seven places on the bench unless his fitness is absolutely assured. He knows that today is D-Day and that he will watch the match from the comfort of his living room unless he proves that fitness.

* Meanwhile, there was a huge rugby contingent in attendance at the removal of the late Joe Kidney (father) of Irish assistant coach Declan in Cork last evening.

The late Mr Kidney was deeply involved in the playing and administrative side of rugby for most of his long life and that tradition carried on through his family.