O'Kelly heads for home

Malcolm O’Kelly’s Lions dream is over after he suffered a groin injury which has ruled him out of the 2005 tour of New Zealand.

The Irish lock, 30, sustained a recurrence of an old groin injury in training earlier this week which proved to be more serious than the Lions medical team first thought.

The Lions had hoped O’Kelly would be available for selection in one of the early tour matches, but an Auckland-based specialist today confirmed the worst.

O’Kelly said: “I am obviously very disappointed that for me the tour is over. I have had this problem for a while but had managed to keep it at bay.

“I have to be philosophical and accept the judgement of the doctors. It is as well just to accept it and go home, and let the coaches and players get on with the job of trying towin the series against New Zealand.

“They are a great bunch and though I am sorry I will no longer be part of it, I wish them all the best.”

The Lions were planning on announcing a replacement for O’Kelly within a few hours.

Head coach Clive Woodward said: “Mal is a terrific player and it is always very sad when a top-class player loses out to injury like this.

“We spoke after he saw the specialist today and agreed there was no chance of him being fit enough to play and it was better for the tour if a replacement was called out.

“It is very sad for Mal but his attitude has been first class. Even now, he has put the broader interests of the Lions first.”