Connacht blow as O’Connor injured

FORMER Irish international Johnny O’Connor is ruled out of the Connacht squad for tomorrow’s European Challenge Cup clash against Rugby Rovigo at the Sportsground (6.30pm).

O’Connor is sidelined with a calf injury while Keith Matthews and Ronan Loughney are also doubts though they are named in Michael Bradley’s 24-man selection which includes Brian McGovern and Mel Deane.

Bradley was pleased with the way his men executed a bonus-point 35-20 over the Italians in Rovigo on Saturday.

“The first thing was to win the game and then go after the bonus point so it was good to come away with all five points. The key now is to complete that again this Friday and give ourselves every chance of securing a quarter-final place,” he said.

CONNACHT SQUAD:A Browne, K Campbell, F Carr, S Cronin, M Deane, T Donnelly, G Duffy, A Farley, A Flavin, D Gannon, J Hearty, I Keatley, R Loughney, J Lyne, K Matthews, M McCarthy, B McGovern, R Morris, F Murphy, T Nathan, R Ofisa, D Riordan, M Swift, B Wilkinson.

Not considered due to injury: L Bibo (hamstring), A Dunne (knee), J Merrigan (shoulder), J Muldoon (knee), J O’Connor (calf), C Rigney (knee), M Roberts (calf), N Ta’auso (arm).