Wednesday 20 August 2014 14:27, UK
Munster hooker Mike Sherry has been ruled out for up to six months with a shoulder injury.
The 26-year-old underwent shoulder surgery last December while sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, but his shoulder graft did not knit properly and he was forced to have another operation last Friday.
Munster are already without fellow hooker Damien Varley for their Guinness Pro12 opener against Edinburgh on September 5, while Duncan Casey is set to miss this weekend's game against Gloucester as he ups his pre-season work.
With fourth choice hooker Niall Scannell also unavailable due to injury, Munster head coach Anthony Foley has called up UL Bohs' Kevin O'Byrne and Gerry Slattery from Young Munster.
"Mike Sherry is gone for six months," said Foley. "He went under the knife again last week, the shoulder graft didn't take and he had to get it redone. Unfortunately Mike is out for another five to six months.
"It a huge blow for everyone, but personally for Mike, we'll look after him, it's important to us. He's an integral part of our squad.
"Kevin has been with us all pre-season because of the Damien Varley and Niall Scannell situation. When Mike's issue raised its head a couple of weeks ago we brought in Gerry Slattery into our squad.
"Those two boys have fitted in well, they understand Munster; they understand what we're about. It's all about managing the situation, it's not about getting panicky.
"We do understand that there are serious injuries (there), but we just have to manage that."
Keith Earls has been ruled out for a month after he suffered a knee injury while training with Ireland, while Peter O’Mahony and Donnacha Ryan will also miss the trip to Kingsholm.
