Kearney laments Ireland’s rotten luck

Ireland team manager Mick Kearney has insisted a poor run of luck rather than a problem with the IRFU’s player welfare programme is the reason for the national side’s current injury crisis.

With 15 players either injured or suspended over the course of a bruising RBS 6 Nations, the Irish management were forced to defend the scheme which has been criticised by the provinces at Carton House yesterday. Nine players required medical attention following Saturday’s 13-13 draw with a France but as the story of Ireland’s season turned into a tale of missed opportunities and mounting injuries, the management refused to blame the high-profile scheme which limits the number of games players take part in.

“The injury thing is absolutely extraordinary. I was thinking about it yesterday and it reminded me of Charles Haughey and the famous GUBU quote — Grotesque Unbelievable, Bizarre and Unprecedented,” said team manager Mick Kearney.