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« Lions selection never fails to surprise | | Super Saturday - As it happened... » April 25, 2009 Posted on 04/25/2009 O'Leary's tour over before it has begun Fate has dealt Irish scrum-half Tomas O'Leary a cruel blow. The talented 25-year-old has been ruled out of this summer's Lions tour to South Africa just three days after being confirmed as part of Ian McGeechan's 37-man tour party. A season that has already delivered career defining moment for the No.9 - Ireland's Six Nations Grand Slam success - has been brought to a dramatic end thanks to a broken ankle suffered in the domestic clash with Scarlets on Friday night. What makes it all the more tragic is that the season promised so much more with Munster on the brink of the Magners League title and just days away from an all-Irish Heineken Cup semi-final with Leinster. Such are the highs and lows of sport. His injury is set to send a shockwave through the rest of the squad destined for South Africa next month. For most, Lions tours offer a once in a lifetime opportunity, and to have it ripped away from you must be tough to take. And with another month of the season still to go there may yet be more tales of woe. What effect will O'Leary's injury have on those set to board the plane? Will any of them take their foot off the gas in contact or in training to ensure they get to Heathrow in one piece? Unlikely as to do so can just as easily lead to injury. One major concern for McGeechan is if Munster and Cardiff Blues make it to the Heineken Cup Final. If that does happen 14 of the squad could be going head-to-head for European glory just a day before the Lions leave for SA> My advice? Just stick to the approach that got you onto the Lions radar and hope that Lady Luck smiles on you. But even she may be hard-pressed to protect you from the Springboks. But one player's misfortune opens the door for another with Scotland's Mike Blair (a high profile omission from the origina squad), England's Danny Care and Wales' Dwayne Peel amongst those likely to get the call. Wales Mike Phillips is surely in possession of the Test jersey at the moment ahead of England's Harry Ellis - but anything can happen - just ask O'Leary. Comments
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