CONNACHT HAVE BEEN HIT WITH A BIG BLOW, WITH SKIPPER JOHN MULDOON SET TO MISS THREE KEY GAMES OVER CHRISTMAS, AFTER BREAKING AN ARM.

THE 28-YEAR OLD SUFFERED THE INJURY IN THE DYING MOMENTS OF FRIDAY’S 15-9 LOSS TO HARLEQUINS, WHICH ENDED THEIR AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP ASPIRATIONS FOR ANOTHER SEASON.

THE PORTUMNA MAN WILL MISS THE ST STEPHEN’S DAY MAGNERS LEAGUE CLASH WITH MUNSTER, AS WELL AS THE TRIPS TO LEINSTER AND THE DRAGONS OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD.

HOWEVER, GAVIN DUFFY – WHO MISSED FRIDAY’S GAME – COULD BE BACK FOR THE MUNSTER MATCH.

JOHNNY O’CONNOR AND MICHAEL SWIFT, WHO SUFFERED INJURIES AGAINST HARLEQUINS, MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE.

MEANWHILE, CONNACHT MANAGER ERIC ELWOOD CONCEDED OVER THE WEEKEND THAT THREE PLAYERS CONNACHT HAD BUILT THEIR TEAM AROUND – IAN KEATLEY, SEAN CRONIN AND FIONN CARR – ARE LEAVING GALWAY THIS SUMMER.

KEATLEY GOES TO MUNSTER, WHILE CRONIN AND CARR SEEM DESTINED FOR LEINSTER.