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The Irish News - Nov 18 1997: Armagh defender Colm Hanratty may never play football again after broken leg horror

Paul McCloskey celebrates his win over Breidis Prescott at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast 
Paul McCloskey celebrates his win over Breidis Prescott at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast  Paul McCloskey celebrates his win over Breidis Prescott at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast 

ARMAGH defender Colm Hanratty may never play football again after the horrific injuries sustained against Donegal on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who underwent initial surgery on multiple leg fractures yesterday, faces a minimum year out of competitive sport and one Armagh official said that it was unlikely that he would play again.

It is understood both Armagh and Donegal shot video footage of the match, while at least one television channel had cameras at Lurgan.

GAA officials now await the report by Longford match referee John Bannon.

Armagh spokesman Patrick Nugent said: “The bone is broken below the knee. It was originally thought it was broken in one place, but tests showed Colm’s leg was broken in three places below the knee.

“It is a dreadful injury and at the moment the medical people are talking about a number of pins having to be put into the leg.

“It’s very difficult to speculate about his ability to play again, but I would say at the moment we are talking about the end of a career for Colm, which is a terrible blow for the player.

“The injury will take a long time to heal.

“We are looking at at least 12 months, and even then Colm may not want to come back after this. It is hard to say if he will have any interest in it after what happened.”

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THE Antrim county board is expected to discuss a number of incidents which followed the controversial AIB Ulster Club Hurling final between Dunloy and Lavey.

The Ulster Council’s investigation into the violence which marred the club final aftermath was concluded last week but Antrim officials are now expected to take a look at any lessons which can be learned.

The Ulster Council last week banned Dunloy from the 1998 Ulster Club Championship although the Cuchulainn’s club will be allowed to take their place in this season’s All-Ireland semi-finals in February.

In addition, Dunloy, like their opponents Lavey, were fined £500 while the Antrim club had their share of the Ulster final gate withdrawn.

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PAUL McCloskey, of St Canice’s ABC in Dungiven, who won last season’s Irish intermediate light welter title, is one of eight Ulster boxers to qualify for the semi-finals of the UK Championships.

The NI squad will be back in championship action in Nottingham on November 29. McCloskey was a convincing winner at Boston, Lincolnshire last weekend.

He was one of 10 BGCNI boxers to feature on the quarter-final bill. Patrick Taylor and Jim McComb of St Agnes ABC were among Ulster’s other winners, Taylor recording a fine stoppage victory.

The other Boston victories were chalked up by Martin Lindsay (Immaculata), David Moore (St Joseph’s), Shane McKeown (St Pat’s, Newry), Kevin Flynn (Newhill) and Ring ABC’s John Duddy who gained a walkover.

The unlucky challengers were David McKeaveney and Gary O’Neill of Emerald who both lost out on points.

The finals are scheduled for Nottingham and London on December 13-15.