Munster starlet Williams ruled out for rest of season

DUNCAN Williams will be out of action for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his shoulder this week.

Williams, a rising star of Munster rugby, had planned to have investigative surgery with the proviso that corrective action would be taken, if required, on an injury that has troubled him somewhat over the last few months.

It was decided to operate and he has been told it will require a recovery period of about 12 weeks before he can play again, bringing him through to the off-season.

Having starred for Constitution in an AIB League game against Shannon at Temple Hill last week, Williams is, accordingly, ruled out of today’s AIB Cup semi-final clash with Young Munster at Clifford Park (2.30).

His place in the team goes to Chris Nolan, and coach Brian Walsh is also forced to make two further changes. Neither Darragh Hurley nor Denis Fogarty are being made available by Munster and they will be replaced by Gareth Murray and Lloyd Gabriel respectively.

Walsh is happy to report a clean bill of health to the remainder of his squad and figures he will need everyone fit and well to successfully take on the Limerick side.

Young Munster shocked Constitution at Temple Hill early on in the league campaign and emerged with an unexpected win. Things have got better for Con and worse for the Limerick side in the intervening weeks, but Walsh is well aware of the danger posed today.

“It’s a cup tie for starters, and anything can happen in the cup. Blink and you’re out; current form isn’t always an influential factor. Young Munster may be in a bad place in the league but it’s a very proud club, and I have no doubt that they will come out fighting with a backs-to-the-wall mentality. That will make it very difficult.

“Experience, as a player and a coach, tells me there are never any easy games against Young Munster, particularly in Clifford Park. This is a huge match for both clubs. We have to ensure that we play as if we need it as badly as they do,” he said.

In the second semi final, Ballynahinch see the visit of Garryowen to Ballymacarn Park as an opportunity rather than a tedious chore, despite the hugely impressive record of the Limerick club over more than 100 years of senior rugby.

The Ulster club has yet to make a firm mark in senior rugby, while 52 Garryowen players have represented Ireland over the years, filling every single position on the national team.

The light blues will be hot favourites, a fact accepted by Ballynahinch. A spokesman said yesterday: “We’re up against it, but not in awe. We have got this far and it’s a cup tie with no second chances for the loser. It’s always possible to pull off an upset although, I admit, it will be an uphill struggle.”

Ballynahinch secured victories in previous rounds against Naas and County Carlow before pulling off the shock of the tournament when they grabbed a late penalty goal from Ryan Bambry to knock Shannon out on a 15-14 score line.

It is with that victory — in Limerick — in mind that Garryowen will treat their opponents with the utmost of respect. For Ballynahinch, it is the biggest day of the season to date, one that promises to yield at least a bumper financial windfall. They would love it to be accompanied by success.