Injury crisis hits Galway minor footballers

Date Published: 14-Jul-2010

STEPHEN GLENNON

GALWAY footballers must rage against all the odds if they are to claim a 26th Connacht minor football title for the county when they face great rivals Mayo in the provincial decider at McHale Park, Castlebar on Sunday (1:30pm).

While not a ball has been kicked in anger in the 2010 Connacht minor football final, the young Tribesmen face an uphill battle to secure a victory after losing their midfield partnership of captain Eanna Ó hEochaidh (An Spidéal) and vice captain Thomas Flynn (Athenry) to injury.

Flynn sustained a serious hand injury in a club game while Ó hEochaidh is recovering from a broken collarbone. Adding to manager Gerry Fahy’s woes, Leitir Mór defender Colm MacDonnacha damaged his knee last Friday and is now in a race to be fit for this weekend’s clash.

No doubt, this current spate of injuries represents a major blow to Galway’s chances, although manager Fahy’s first thoughts were for the players themselves. “Take Eanna Ó hEochaidh,” says Fahy. “It was the first year the management picked the captain and both he and his family were so looking forward to him leading the team out in the Connacht final.

“So, not to be able to do that now is bitterly disappointing. Same for Tom (Flynn). It is the same situation as he would have been the next player to step in. So, for them personally, it is a huge blow – as it will be for Colm should he fail to make it.

“Also, inside the squad itself, they commanded great respect. Eanna and Tom were there last year and for their experience alone they were very well respected. So, their combined loss has had an effect on the rest of the squad. But that is the way things are. We just have to deal with it and get on with it.”

Certainly, it has been a miserable year on the injury front for Galway’s minor footballers and their management team, who have already had to contend with the loss of forward Padraig Cunningham of Ballinasloe with a serious long-term knee injury.