Earls: ‘I Heard A Crack In My Neck And Thought About My Kids Straight Away’

There was an eery silence in Thomond Park on December 27 when Keith Earls hit the ground in Munster’s game against Leinster.

Earls lay prone on the ground for a number of minutes after his neck collided with the leg of Eoin Reddan just as he offloaded a pass, following some brilliant play in the centre of the park.

Thomond Park came to a complete silence as Munster and Leinster fans alike winced and prepared themselves for the worst as Earls was wheeled off the pitch on a stretcher, his neck in a brace. Thankfully it was all just a precautionary measure and Earls is already on the road to a quick recovery.

Speaking to Murray Kinsella of The 42, Earls recounted the incident.

“I’m good now,”

“It wasn’t too serious thankfully. Whatever way I landed, I think I hit Redser’s shin and I heard a crack in my neck and thought about my kids straight away. I said, ‘I better lay still here.”

“The lads got out to me then and went through a few bits and I could move my hands. I didn’t have any weird feelings, just a small bit of tightness in my chest, but I think that was more like a panic attack after hearing the crack in my neck.”

Earls also admitted he was shook up by whole the incident, but also joked that his father, Ger, was quick to slag him when he got the all clear.

“Yeah, a bit embarrassed as well,” said Earls. “The auld man wasn’t happy when there was nothing wrong with me!”

Earls is now back in full training with Munster and is expected to start the Southern Province’s crucial Champions Cup meeting with Stade Français on Saturday.

Source: The42.ie