203 days after tearing his ACL against the Springboks down in South Africa, Dan Sheehan scored two tires on his return to Leinster as they dismantled the Stormers 36-12 at the Aviva Stadium.
He returned to a very strong Leinster team which also featured James Lowe, who himself was returning from injury as well as Jordie Barrett, RG Snyman and Rabah Slimani. It was a familiar first half for Leinster this season as it was very stop/start with plenty of handling errors on both sides.
Ross Byrne knocked over an early penalty before Andrew Osbourne got the first try of the game after a move saw Jordie Barrett get to the outside of Mannie Libbok and the All Black put Osbourne through in a 2-on-1. A Byrne conversion gave Leinster a 10-0 lead as it looked like it would be business as usual for the Boys in Blue.
Stormers, who fielded a string side featuring several Springboks, got back into the game however and off the back of a couple of string scrums, Ben Loader walked a try in the corner to get the Cape Town side back in the match. However, talismanic 10 Mannie Libbok was forced off with an injury just before halftime and Leinster pounced on the opportunity as Dan Sheehan showed he hasn't lost a step in pace as he finsihed off a lovely move out the backs.
"Back in the groove, back in full throttle and back scoring tries!" 🎙️@leinsterrugby's Dan Sheehan scores his side's second try just before the break 🔵 pic.twitter.com/YUNJBNoNbs
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 25, 2025
It was a killer score for the Stormers as Leinster kept their foot on the throat to begin the second half, dominating the territory and camping themselves in the Stormers' 22. Their territory paid off as Jordie Barrett ran a beautiful line to break the South African defence and score before Sheehan scored his second try of the game, gathering a crossfield kick from James Lowe.
An excellent @leinsterrugby try! 🤩
Dan Sheehan gets the bonus point score for his side against the DHL Stormers 🔵👏 pic.twitter.com/7iIJEY8fLE
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 25, 2025
Sheehan came off just after that score, picking up the player of the match award after his 62-minute cameo. Andrew Osbourne added his own second try of the game after picking up an interception before a consolation try for Evan Roos meant it finished 36-12.
Dan Sheehan Thanks New Sport For His 2-Try Return In Big Leinster Win
Speaking to Premier Sports after receiving the player of the match award, Dan Sheehan revealed he picked up some boxing while he was recovering from his ACL injury.
It's excellent, feels like another debut of sorts I was feeling nervous during the week and it's so nice to be part of this team and when it's taken away from you for six months, it just makes it all the more special to be back out on the pitch.
I've been helped so much everyone in Leinster, Emma Galvin my physio has been outstanding, my boxing coach Cathal O'Grady at White Collar Boxing. A lot of people have put a lot of time into me and it's great to be back on the pitch.
Dan Sheehan speaks after a fine display for @leinsterrugby on his return to action 🔵
"It's so nice to be part of this team and when it's taken away from you for six months, it just makes it all the more special to be back out on the pitch." 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/1B3bMHCWlg
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 25, 2025
Sheehan along with James Lowe head out to Portugal tomorrow to join up with the rest of the Ireland squad ahead of the Six Nations. He may only have 62 minutes in the tank but it'll be hard for Simon Easterby to not play someone as good as Dan Sheehan.
