Football

Antrim forward Ryan Murray faces race against time after being sidelined for six weeks with shoulder injury

Lamh Dhearg forward Ryan Murray faces six weeks on the sidelines after dislocating his AC joint, and faces a race against time to be fit for the Saffrons' Ulster Championship opener against Donegal
Lamh Dhearg forward Ryan Murray faces six weeks on the sidelines after dislocating his AC joint, and faces a race against time to be fit for the Saffrons' Ulster Championship opener against Donegal Lamh Dhearg forward Ryan Murray faces six weeks on the sidelines after dislocating his AC joint, and faces a race against time to be fit for the Saffrons' Ulster Championship opener against Donegal

ANTRIM joint manager Gearoid Adams hasn’t given up hope that injured forward Ryan Murray could be available for their Ulster Championship opener against Donegal.

Murray dislocated his AC joint and suffered a tear during the Saffrons’ last League game against Longford on April 23, when a last-gasp leveller from the Leinster men consigned Antrim to Division Four football next year.

He was felled by Longford’s Diarmuid Masterson as he rose to take a mark just a minute after being brought off the bench to replace Niall Delargy, and was unable to continue.

There were initial fears that he could face a long spell on the sidelines but he has been ruled out for six weeks, meaning the Lamh Dhearg man is touch and go for Antrim’s provincial quarter-final against the Tir Chonaill men on May 21.

Although that game is just over five weeks away, Adams hasn’t given up hope of being able to call upon the talented forward for the Ballybofey clash.

“It will be very tight, but hopefully,” said Adams.

“Hopefully he will rehab quicker as he’s a tough lad.”

Speaking last week as he and fellow boss Frank Fitzsimons awaited news on the injury, Adams described Murray as one of the Saffrons’ “go-to forwards”.

He said: “The last time he played he scored a goal against Louth and in doing so he pulled his quadriceps – this was his first bit of action since then.

“We brought him on to try and seal the game against Longford because it was in the melting pot at that time.

“We haven’t had much luck all year with injuries and Ryan’s one of our main go-to forwards. He’s one of the younger generation of players we’re looking to build around.”