Surgery rules Connacht prop JP Cooney out for season

Connacht prop JP Cooney has been ruled out for most of the remainder of the season while coach Kieran Keane is sweating on the fitness of loosehead Denis Buckley and impressive flanker Jarrad Butler ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Ulster.

Cooney yesterday underwent surgery on a hamstring injury which will keep him out of action until April at least in the latest setback to hit the Tipperary native.

Cooney, who played 22 times for Connacht last season, had been troubled by an ankle injury earlier this season and was working his way back into action in the B&I Cup and with Garryowen.