Ex-Munster player banned for ugly incident in club game

Former Munster rugby player Dan Goggin has been hit with a nine-week ban after an incident that left Garryowen player Sean Rennison with facial injuries.

The incident occurred during a club game between Young Munster and Garryowen in the Energia All Ireland League Division One.

The game was highly competitive but things got ugly when the ex-Munster player lashed out at his would-be tackler.

Goggin appeared to kick out and catch Rennison in the face, which resulted in facial injuries that required medical attention.

Despite avoiding being penalised during the game, Goggin was subsequently cited based on video evidence.

At a disciplinary hearing, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed that Goggin had admitted the act merited a red card. As a result, he was hit with an initial 18-week ban, which was later reduced to nine weeks on mitigation. It is unclear whether the suspension will apply outside of Ireland, as Goggin is expected to move to Australia to play in the Shute Shield competition later this year.

Goggin made his Munster debut in 2016 and played 81 times for the province. He recently left Munster, and his move to Australia was announced on Wednesday. Goggin is a former Ireland U-20s international and made his last appearance for his home province against the Lions in January.