O’Gara ruled out of AIB League final

Ronan O’Gara has almost certainly been ruled out of next weekend’s AIB League final at Lansdowne Road.

The Munster and Cork Con out-half suffered a deep gash to his knee during the win over Castres yesterday and now faces a battle to be fit for the Heineken Cup final next month.

O’Gara, who kicked 20 of Munster’s 25 points to earn man-of-the-match accolades, was injured when tackling the rampaging Castres centre Norm Berryman. Berryman landed awkwardly and his studs caught the Munster man on the kneecap.

The Ireland and Lions representative required stitches to the wound but returned to the fray after receiving medical attention to steer the side to victory.

O’Gara is likely to be replaced in next Sunday’s showpiece by Conor Mahony, an ever present in the side all season while O’Gara was on duty for Munster and Ireland.

Cork Con coach Brian Hickey confirmed to ireland.comthis afternoon that there is little chance of O'Gara being fit for the AIB title showdown with Shannon.

"Ronan needed six stitches in the cut during the game," Hickey explained. "They were taken out last night and another 13 were put in. The problem is the cut is in an awkward place on his kneecap where it can open every time he flexes his leg."

"It’s highly doubtful that he’ll play next week but I’m sure he’ll be back in time for the final Heineken Cup final in Cardiff."