TYRONE are facing an injury crisis as they prepare for the All-Ireland minor football final against champions Laois on September 27.
Ace attacker Stephen O’Neill has fractured a rib, defender Peter O’Neill is battling to recover from an ankle injury, while captain Brian McGuigan’s hopes of playing are fading by the day.
Joint-manager Mickey Harte admitted that injuries are becoming an increasing problem, but he believes the affected players still have time to recover.
“Stephen has a fractured rib, and he’s going to be out of action for some time, but I still think he will be fit for the final,” said Harte.
“He’ll not be involved in any contact up until the last week, but he will be able to train very shortly.”.
Harte added that Peter O’Neill’s ankle problem turned out not to be as serious as first thought and he should recover in time. But he hinted that skipper Brian McGuigan is unlikely to make the final after suffering a recurrence of a collar bone injury.
“Brian will need all the time we have and more to be ready. There would be a risk factor if we decided to use him at any stage, as he will be exactly the same amount of time getting over the second injury as he was over the original injury.”
Midfielder Kevin Hughes and attacker Ryan O’Neill missed the semifinal victory over Leitrim through injury, but both are expected to be fit for the decider.
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UUJ coach Adrian McGuckin said last night that he has not yet been approached concerning the Derry senior football management position McGuckin, a well-respected and highly successful coach from St Pat’s Maghera, led UUJ to the Sigerson Cup final this year, but has been discussed along with 1993 boss Eamon Coleman as one of the favourites for the Derry hot seat.
Nominations from Derry clubs for all seven county management positions closed at the weekend, although McGuckin said he had not been approached by any club regarding nomination.
Brian Mullins is not expected to be awarded a fourth year as Derry manager after a woeful All-Ireland semifinal showing against Galway two weeks ago.
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ARMAGH officials have called 12 individuals to appear at a disciplinary hearing on Monday following their investigation into last month’s televised brawl between Crossmaglen and Clan na Gael.
And, weekend violence in club games in Donegal and Cavan could lead to a further clampdown from disciplinary authorities in those counties. In Armagh investigation, a series of suspensions and substantial financial penalties are expected to be handed down next week.
The inquiry followed a detailed probe into fighting which left an ugly scar on their championship, brawling which was relayed to a wider viewership by BBC Northern Ireland cameras.
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RTE is due to televise a fly on the wall documentary on amateur boxing, charting Ireland’s recent challenge for medals at the European Cadet Championships in Latvia.
Gerard McAuley, of Star ABC, Belfast was among the three Irish bronze meal winners.
Billy McClean, Ireland’s cadet championship coach, says the video includes footage of the worst piece of refereeing he has ever seen which denied St Agnes’ teenager Patrick Taylor a medal honour.
“I hope that RTE screen that particular bout in full just to show the viewers how bad it was,” said McClean. “Two boxers, Ken Egan and Cormac O’Conaire, were the main camera men. They filmed quite a bit of action and emotion. It will be well worth watching.”
