O’Connor welcomes Magners break
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Niall O’Connor, is looking forward to the break in the Magners League so that the hip injury he sustained at Ravenhill against Munster on Friday night can heal.
ULSTER outhalf Niall O'Connor expects to be fully fit for Ulster's next Magners League game against Connacht at Ravenhill next month.
The Drumsurn man was forced off the field just 10 minutes into Ulster's fantastic 22-6 win over Irish provincial opponents Munster on Saturday evening, after suffering a heavy knock to the hip joint.
But with a four week break before the next competitive fixture, the local lad expects to be back to full fitness and fighting for selection.
“I ran the ball into contact and took a hard knock on the hip joint", said Niall.
“I tried to run it off but was in a fair bit of pain so I decided to get off. I've been seeing the doctor and physio this week and have been told that it will take a week to settle down."
Ulster handed Munster their first defeat of the campaign at Ravenhill on Saturday evening and Fijian flyer Timoci Nagusa was the star of the show with two first-half tries. Speaking to The Northern Constitution on Tuesday morning, Niall said he was confident the side could now kick on and start to work their way up the table.
“The boys did really well. There was a lot of pressure on us so we were pretty pleased that everything went according to plan.
“That's two home wins in a row now and we'll be hoping to make it three against Connacht next month."
The break will give Niall the opportunity to see how things are shaping up in the local domestic league, with Limavady and City of Derry both in competitive action in the coming weeks.
Younger brother Mark made his City of Derry debut two weeks ago against Limavady after returning from injury and followed it up with a strong performance against Ballymoney on Friday evening, bagging 20 points for the Judges Road side.
“I haven't had a chance to see Mark in action yet", continued Niall, "but I hope to get down to Armagh on Saturday for the top of the table match.
“Its always difficult when you return from an injury lay off but he seems to be enjoying his rugby at the minute and with both teams having such a good start to the season it should be a cracking game."
