Munster Continue Pre-Season Work
Munster continued their pre-season preparations on Friday afternoon with a squad training session in the University of Limerick, with Ireland scrum half Tomas O’Leary working with them as he battles back from an ankle injury.
The Munster squad did not include the province’s Lions contingent, with the exception of John Hayes, as the rest of the players that toured South Africa will return to full training next Monday (August 3).
That is two days before Tony McGahan’s men depart for a week long pre-season training camp in Portugal.
Amongst the players training in Limerick on Friday was scrum half Tomas O’Leary, who confined his activities to work on the sideline with fitness coach Anthony Coole.
O’Leary’s progress is described as being ‘ahead of schedule’ and the player himself is very happy with how his recovery from a fractured ankle is coming along.
“I’m very pleased with how things have gone with my rehab,” said the Corkman.
“The trip to the States (with the Churchill Cup squad) was certainly beneficial and the progress has been maintained since my return thanks to the Munster fitness staff.”
Also in attendance on Friday afternoon were newcomer Felix Jones and Connacht’s Danny Riordan, who is currently taking part in a trial with Munster.
13 of the squad are taking a break from the Munster scene for a three-day training camp with the Ireland squad in Belfast, which began on Sunday.
Tony Buckley, Ian Dowling, Jerry Flannery, Denis Fogarty, Marcus Horan, Denis Hurley, Felix Jones, Denis Leamy, Barry Murphy, Mick O’Driscoll, Niall Ronan, Donnacha Ryan and Peter Stringer are all away with Declan Kidney and the Irish management.
At present, Munster are continuing with one squad session a week – alternating between their Cork and Limerick bases – but later this week they will shift to Clonakilty RFC and then adjourn to Inchydoney Beach for a bit of R&R, courtesy of Rip Curl.