Munster confirm head of athletic performance Ged McNamara left province last month

Former Munster head of athletic performance Ged McNamara during squad training in September. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Munster have announced that Ged McNamara, their head of athletic performance, departed the province last month "to seek a new challenge".

It was said in early December, ahead of Munster's Champions Cup opener against Stade Francais, that McNamara was absent on "personal leave" with the IRFU’s Nick Winkelman assisting Munster’s strength and conditioning staff. Irish Examiner columnist Duncan Casey, the former Munster hooker, revealed a week later that McNamara's absence was in fact permanent. McNamara had been with Munster for the last five years.

Shane Daly is the only injury concern following Munster's Champions Cup victory against Saracens on Saturday. The winger failed a HIA and will enter the graduated return to play protocols. 

Conor Murray, Jack O'Donoghue and Diarmuid Barron, all of whom returned from injury for the Thomond Park fixture, came through the clash unscathed. 

Peter O'Mahony's return from a calf contusion is nearing. He will continue to increase his training load ahead of this weekend's meeting with Northampton. A decision on his availability will be made later in the week. Munster interim head coach Ian Costello said after Saturday's game that O'Mahony was "touch and go" to make the game against Saracens but should be "go" this week. 

Winger Diarmuid Kilgallen, who was out with a wrist injury, trained full last week while Mark Donnelly has recovered from an ankle injury which he suffered while on duty with Emerging Ireland. He returns to full training this week.