Football

Michael Cunningham's Down season could be over

Down goalkeeper Michael Cunningham is a doubt for their Championship campaign after suffering a knee injury on club duty last weekend <br />Picture by Colm O'Reilly
Down goalkeeper Michael Cunningham is a doubt for their Championship campaign after suffering a knee injury on club duty last weekend
Picture by Colm O'Reilly
Down goalkeeper Michael Cunningham is a doubt for their Championship campaign after suffering a knee injury on club duty last weekend
Picture by Colm O'Reilly

DOWN are waiting on the results of an MRI scan on goalkeeper Michael Cunningham amid fears over a potentially serious knee injury sustained last weekend.

The Castlewellan stopper suffered the injury during his club’s 2-12 to 2-10 defeat at Kilcoo in last Friday night’s Division One league game. It’s understood he came down awkwardly after competing for a high ball in the goalmouth against the reigning Down senior club champions.

He missed his club’s one-point win over Bryansford in a league game on Monday night and there are fears the injury could end the Down number one’s season. Down boss Éamonn Burns confirmed Cunningham had suffered the injury and that they were awaiting the results of the MRI scan, which they hoped would take place on Tuesday.

“He picked up an injury last Friday night. We don’t know the severity of it yet,” said Burns.

“He’ll be scanned this week, hopefully today, definitely before Friday and we’ll know more then. We have no idea of how much or how little damage is done. We’re waiting on results of the scan. He didn’t play in the club game last night, obviously. That’s where we are with him.

“We don’t want to start and speculate because then everybody’s saying this, that and the other and it mightn’t be as bad as it looks, or it might be worse. Our physios had a look at him on Sunday and they’re waiting for the results as well.”

Cunningham had arguably been Down’s outstanding performer in a disappointing National League campaign and had established himself as first choice ‘keeper. Kilcoo netminder Steven Kane will be in line to take over, while Burns said he would hold off on a decision over introducing another goalkeeper to his panel until Cunningham’s injury is fully diagnosed.

The news is yet another blow for the embattled Mourne men, who suffered relegation from Division One with seven straight defeats. Niall Madine recently became the latest member of the panel to defect, adding his name to the growing list of players without whom they will have to cope this summer.

Caolan Mooney opted off the panel earlier in the year, while Dan Gordon, Benny Coulter, Marty Clarke and Peter Fitzpatrick haven’t been involved this season. Johnston brothers Ryan and Jerome are both ruled out of at least the quarter-final against Monaghan on June 5 after undergoing surgery on dislocated shoulders.

Burns did, however, reveal that Shay McArdle is back running and that Packie Downey has been taking part in full sessions as they continue their recovery. Kevin McKernan, meanwhile, is expected to resume running over the next fortnight and hopes remain he will be fit to face the reigning Ulster champions.

“Our other injuries are starting to clear up, slowly but surely. Hopefully, we’ll be in better shape in a couple of weeks’ time," Burns said.

“A lot of the injured players are back on the field running and doing bits of sessions, but not full sessions. Fingers crossed, everything will be cleared up in the next 12-to-14 days.”