Hugo Keenan admits injury frustration as he targets New Year return
Michael Bolton
Leinster and Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan is targeting a return to action in January as he admitted his injury frustrations are getting to him.
The hero for the British and Irish Lions in Australia, Keenan scored the winning try in the second test as Andy Farrell's side won the series 2-1.
Following the tour, the 29-year-old underwent hip surgery and hopes to be back in action early in 2026.
With Leinster losing three out of their first four games, and Ireland currently in Chicago ahead of the All Blacks clash on November 1st, Keenan admitted watching from the sidelines can be frustrating.
"It's all going well, according to plan. It’s hard to tell just over two months post-op.
"The first month was frustrating. I was on crutches, but felt I shouldn’t have been, but that was the advice of the surgeon.
"It was to promote as much healing and rest and recovery.
"The last couple of weeks I’ve been kicking on with my rehab, a lot of gym work, swimming, bike work.
"It’s weeks like this that’s it’s tougher, a bit frustrating.
"The frustrations are getting to me but I just have to control what I can. I’m still targeting a return around New Year but a game isn’t pencilled in.
"It’s about meeting certain markers to progress into running and field work. It wasn’t like I got an injury in the last Lions Test, I had [surgery] pencilled in.
"Midway through the tour we all decided it was the best thing for me.
"You try and help with the prep during the week and chat to the back three. Ultimately, you want to be out there in those big inter-pros in Croke Park.
"It was frustrating watching that game, it has probably been the toughest week of injured life so far. Between that and the lads jetting off to Chicago, you are nearly envious of them playing in Soldier Field.
"It will be a cool experience and a great learning curve for the squad."
Jamie Osborne, Jimmy O'Brien, and Jacob Stockdale are the likely candidates for the 15 jersey in Keenan's absence, as he says he hopes to link up with the squad on their return from Chicago.
Ireland also faces Japan, South Africa, and Australia in November.
"I’ve been chatting to Goodie [Andrew Goodman, backs coach] and Johnny [Sexton, assistant coach] over the last week, they’ve been linking in with me and picking my brains with one or two bits.
"There’s a chance I’ll come in at some stage over the autumn. They are good like that. Dan [Sheehan] and Craig [Casey] came in when they were injured.
"You can’t just sit on the sidelines and then play catch-up when you come back.
"You are expected to make all the learn-ons and adapt to the changing systems."
While he ended up scoring a try that will be remembered for years to come, Keenan's Lions tour began with illness, as he lost six kilograms.
As the rest of the team explored Australia, Keenan was fighting off a bug that put his tour at risk.
"It wasn't pretty anyway", said Keenan.
"It was a frustrating illness because a stomach bug usually lasts 24 to 48 hours. I would wake up every day thinking maybe this is the day I get over it.
"I just had to listen to my body. Two days became four, became six. I never would have thought it was going to be 12 days continuous of being sick, I never really come down with anything.
"I felt like a bit of a waste of space because I was injured at the start. It was the day I was declared fit that I got sick. You only really feel part of the group when you are training and playing games.
"I didn't know when the end sight was. I togged out for 45-50 minutes of the worst rugby of my life.
"It was only two days after the illness cleared that they found a parasite that was in my system and everything became clear. It was a made rollercoaster leading into the tests."