An illness to his new-born daughter caused him to pull out of the Irish team but it is reported today that Keith Earls expects his baby to be home from hospital this weekend.
The Munster centre’s partner Edel McGee gave birth to Ella-Maye last week but the baby was brought to Dublin this week after falling ill, meaning Fergus McFadden was drafted in at 13.
However, the good news is that hopes are high that Ella-Maye will be okay.
Ireland team manager team manager Mick Kearney is widely quoted in today’s papers with an update on the situation and thankfully it sounds positive.
“Unfortunately, Keith’s baby daughter has been taken ill and is in hospital as we speak,” said Kearney.
“The nature of the illness is unclear. However, I did speak to Keith this morning and he was hopeful and optimistic that the baby would get home sometime over the weekend.
“It was decided on Tuesday and Wednesday to give Keith some extra time to spend with Edel and child. The baby went into hospital on, I think, Wednesday and Declan was in touch with Keith and it was decided that he’d make a call on it sooner rather than later. He spoke to Keith yesterday and came to the decision that it was in everybody’s best interest, especially Keith and Edel and their families, that Keith would remain in Limerick for the weekend.
“I think the best decision was made for Keith, and that was the primary concern of Declan and the rest of the management team. Our thoughts are very much with Keith and Edel and the baby.”
As are ours, get well soon Ella-Maye.
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