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The Long Awaited Return of Ronan Loughney

Ronans Return
By LDTT April 19 2007
When one of Ireland's most promising young prop forwards was dealt a hammer blow last August, many wondered whether it was the end of the road for Ronan 'Johnny Bravo' Loughney. The Connacht prop tore a cruciate knee ligament in the dying moments of a pre-season friendly against Narbonne in France.
Well the rumour mill has started spinning and it seems likely that Loughney could be in line for a place on the bench in Connacht up coming game against the Dragons or Llanelli in Wales before the end of the season.

It was the second time the Galway native had torn the cruciate knee ligament in his right knee after suffering the first setback just days after his 21st birthday last November 2005. Loughney, who has been capped at U-19 and U-21 international levels, suffered the second injury in the final segment of play against Narbonne in August 2006.


Ronan Loughney


Last August, Connacht coach Michael Bradley said, 'It is a terrible blow. Ronan has worked so hard to get back from the same injury last year. He displayed great dedication and commitment to recover from that one and I have no doubt he will do the same again'.

A highly rated player with the ability to play both tighthead and loosehead, he is a valuable commodity at a time when there is such a shortage of quality Irish props, and Loughney recently signed a two-year full-time contract with Connacht which will keep him with the province until 2008. The Galwegians clubman was tighthead prop on the Irish U-21 team at the World Cup in Argentina.

At the time Bradley added, 'Ronan is a dedicated professional and he has what it takes to bounce back. I look forward to the day when he will be fit again because he is a quality prop'.


Johnny Bravo


One thing is for sure, the Connacht fans will be glad to have Loughney fit and playing well for Connacht next season.

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