Sport

In The Irish News - Apr 7 1998: James McCartan sidelined for several weeks with hamstring injury

Down's James McCartan and Tyrone's Terry McKenna in Dr McKenna Cup action
Down's James McCartan and Tyrone's Terry McKenna in Dr McKenna Cup action Down's James McCartan and Tyrone's Terry McKenna in Dr McKenna Cup action

JAMES McCartan could be out of football for several weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in Down’s NFL quarter-final defeat by Monaghan.

At the very least, the injury places in doubt McCartan’s participation in Glenavon’s Bass Irish Cup soccer final against Glentoran on May 2.

The Tullylish native appeared to be imploring the Down bench to withdraw him during the closing minutes of Sunday’s NFL match.

He beckoned towards the dugout moments before Monaghan grabbed both their late goals and a number of Down fans claimed afterwards the confusion had contributed to the troubles in the Mourne defence.

However, his apparent requests went unheeded and the fear now is that playing on for those seven or eight minutes could have exacerbated McCartan’s injury.

A bad hamstring tear could put a player out for over a month and his latest injury will be a source of worry for both Down and Glenavon fans.

Down’s Ulster Championship opener against Tyrone takes place on May 17.

McCartan only recently returned to full fitness following a shoulder operation.

Down centre half-back Miceal Magill picked up a dead leg in Sunday’s defeat. Magill, according to the Down physio, “sustained a severe Intramuscular Haematoma to his left thigh.'' and estimated that Magill will be sidelined for three weeks.

Peter Withnell suffered further injury to his right knee in the dying minutes and will undergo an MRI scan later this week which was already arranged.

THE bell saved Russian Ibrajin Akaev at the King’s Cup boxing tournament in Bangkok yesterday – but ended Steven Kirk’s gold medal ambitions.

The Irish light heavyweight star had to settle for bronze after being just seconds away from victory when he dished out two standing counts in the fourth.

Belfast shipyard fitter Kirk exploded two devastating left hooks on Akaev forcing the referee to intervene for the mandatory rest counts.

“It looked like it was all over but the bell saved the Russian,” said Ulster team boss Pat McCrory.

“Big ‘Kirkie’ caught him with some cracking shots and it looked like he could take him out in the last. But he got a little bit over-anxious and picked up a public warning.

“The Russian was delighted to get out of the ring, he knew came close to being ko’d.”

Akaev took the semi-final decision by a 13-5 computer scoreline.

Heavyweight Mark O’Hare (Holy Trinity) also picked up bronze after his Iranian opponent was disqualified. O’Hare, who had been counted out by the ref after being stunned by a foul slap, wasn’t permitted to compete in the semis.

LAGAN Valley’s boys U16 middle distance team finished a brilliant third in the McDonald’s UK road relays at the weekend.

Mark McAllister (12.45), Raymond Adams (12.31), Alan Rainey (12.48) and Chris Speers (12.29) ran the four legs for the Belfast club.

Elsewhere several Northern Ireland youngsters produced excellent performances for the Irish Schools team at the international event in Durham.

St Columb’s Derry student Shaun Hasson was the undoubted star, finishing a brilliant fifth in the junior boys race. At intermediate level, Olivia McCullagh (St Joseph’s Plumbridge) was 18th in the girls race with the Frazer twins John and Tom (Edmund Rice Glenngormley) occupied 15th and 16th positions in the boys event just ahead of Michael Mearns (Regent House) in 21st slot.