Manning injury blow for Galway FC

Galway FC have been dealt a blow ahead of their Airtricity League First Division clash with Longford Town on Friday night with the news that Ryan Manning has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a fractured wrist.

The youngster, who has just completed his Leaving Cert, picked up the injury just minutes after coming off the bench in the win over Wexford Youths last Friday week when he landed awkwardly when contesting a ball deep in the Wexford half.

“Ryan fell on his wrist not long after he came on, and it turns out he has a hairline fracture of the wrist so he will be out for about four weeks. When he got up after falling, he was in quite a bit of pain, and a scan has shown up a fracture.

“He will be a big loss to us, we really could do with him in the next few games which are all tough games, starting at home to Longford on Friday night, but you have to make do with what you have so we’ll just get on with it,” said manager Tommy Dunne yesterday.

There was another injury blow over the midseason break with the news that Ross Kenny has been ruled out for the season – he had been struggling with a knee injury, and has damaged his ligament and cartilage, bringing an end to his season.

However Dunne has strengthened his squad after signing Padraig Cunningham from Mervue United – the striker was a key player as Galway Youths captured the Inter-League title in April, scoring 10 goals in the competition, and he will bring a scoring threat to the Airtricity League side.

Galway FC go into the game in second place in the table, level on points with Friday night’s visitors, but one place ahead of them due to a superior goal difference.