Football

Down star Darragh O'Hanlon ruled out of Antrim clash with back injury

Darragh O'Hanlon will miss Down's Ulster opener against Antrim on May 26
Darragh O'Hanlon will miss Down's Ulster opener against Antrim on May 26 Darragh O'Hanlon will miss Down's Ulster opener against Antrim on May 26

DARRAGH O’Hanlon will miss Down’s opener against Antrim on May 26.

The Kilcoo clubman, who hasn’t played a full-game for his county since the Division Two clash with Cork on February 4, had been in excellent form for his club, but a serious back injury - there are concerns it is a slipped disc - has ruled him out of the Ulster Championship quarter-final at Pairc Esler.

There are early fears that the injury could scupper O’Hanlon’s entire season at inter-county level and a club source explained that the free-taking, attacking wing-back “has hardly been able to get out of bed”.

“The first signs aren’t great,” added the Kilcoo clubman.

“He was flying for us at club level, absolutely flying. Hope it’s not too long term, but he hasn’t left his house for a week.”