Misery for Muldoon after injury blow

Connacht have been dealt a massive blow with captain John Muldoon out for at least three months and possibly the remainder of the season.

The 28-year old, who missed the start of the season after breaking his arm playing for Ireland against New Zealand in the summer, broke the same forearm in the closing stages of last weekend’s Amlin Challenge Cup clash with Harlequins.

Coach Eric Elwood confirmed yesterday that the skipper faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

He said Muldoon, who has played 146 games for Connacht in eight seasons with his native province, will be sidelined for the first quarter of the new year.

He does not require surgery at this stage but that may change.

Elwood could have done without this news in a week where it was confirmed that Seán Cronin, Fionn Carr and Ian Keatley will be departing at the end of the season.

Muldoon, who has been ever present in all eight games since returning from injury in October, will miss the Ireland A games against Scotland and England Saxons at the end of January and start of February and is also been ruled out of the RBS Six Nations.