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Belfast Live
Sport
Eamon Doggett

Stuart McCloskey injury ordeal has Ireland rugby fans all saying the same thing

Ireland rugby fans shared the disappointment of Stuart McCloskey after the Ulster centre was forced off with an injury in the first half of their match against South Africa on Saturday.

For many years Ulster supporters have been calling for McCloskey to be given his chance at international level.

An injury to Robbie Henshaw this week gave the 30-year-old his chance on the biggest of stages.

Read more: Ireland vs South Africa LIVE score updates from the Autumn Series clash

The centre was having a typically industrious game for Ireland as they spent the vast majority of the first half defending against the reigning World Cup champions.

Alongside Garry Ringrose in midfield, McCloskey was holding firm in a really attritional match when he had to go off with what looked like a shoulder injury.

Leinster's Jimmy O'Brien came in to fill McCloskey's space, but Ireland rugby fans were bemoaning the cruel slice of luck for the Ulster man, reports the Irish Mirror:

https://twitter.com/Mart_multitask/status/1588956297105666049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1588956297105666049%7Ctwgr%5E96dbc6334cbcb1e62bcac0d45cd84ab20ec500cd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishmirror.ie%2Fsport%2Frugby-union%2Fireland-fans-saying-same-thing-28418037

https://twitter.com/Mart_multitask/status/1588956297105666049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1588956297105666049%7Ctwgr%5E96dbc6334cbcb1e62bcac0d45cd84ab20ec500cd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishmirror.ie%2Fsport%2Frugby-union%2Fireland-fans-saying-same-thing-28418037

It was an half that also saw Conor Murray go off injured, with Jamison Gibson-Park coming on in his place, while South Africa lost their lock Lodewyk de Jager to injury.

After conceding much of the possession to the away side, Ireland should be relatively happy to go into half-time with the match tied at six point apiece.

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