HOSTS Queen’s preparations for this weekend’s Amstel Sigerson finale are being hindered by a series of injury worries.
Armagh county player Justin McNulty is among the major concerns for team boss Dessie Ryan as he prepares his squad for their quarter-final clash against DIT on Friday.
The Mullaghbawn man missed Armagh’s National League win over Cork on Sunday with a shoulder injury and is said to be struggling for this weekend’s Belfast action.
McNulty’s Orchard county team-mate Barry O’Hagan will not take part in the competition because of an injury to his pelvic joint.
The 23-year-old Clann na Gael man will attend Musgrave Park Hospital tomorrow for a cortisone injection, which will ease the constant pain he has been suffering due to a fracture of the sicroiliac joint, located between the pelvis and the spine
Queen’s freetaker Tom Brewster missed Fermanagh’s narrow win over Wexford as did Teemore full-back Peter Quinn. Both, however, are expected to play a major part in the Malone Road team’s bid for varsity football’s Holy Grail.
Brewster sustained a leg injury in Fermanagh’s NFL defeat by Carlow 16 days ago while Quinn sustained a hamstring injury in Queen’s second round win over UCD. The Teemore lad is not the only Queen’s Quinn to be troubled by injury ahead of the weekend.
Antrim forward Joe Quinn missed his county’s defeat by Roscommon on Sunday with an ankle injury.
On the plus side Down defender Alan Molloy, who missed the six point win over UCD, is expected to return to the Queen’s starting line-up this weekend. Molloy is still troubled by a groin injury but should nevertheless slot into the Queen’s fullback line.
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CIARAN Curran has powered his way to the Ulster senior handball singles title again – his fourth in five years.
The Loughmacrory man defeated Paddy Crothers in two straight game at Armagh after beating off a determined challenge by the Gort na Mona member in the second match. Curran was at his brilliant best beating Crothers 21-9 in the opener and then spun to a 14-7 lead in the second game.
It looked ominous for Crothers but the Belfast man hit as purple patch with ten unanswered aces to lead 17-14. However Curran’s experience carried the day as he settled back into winning action to take the premier Ulster title 21-19 in a thrilling finish.
Ciaran Curran next meets Kilkenny maestro Duxie Walsh in the AllIreland semi-final.
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THE Downey sisters are doubts for Down’s division three clash with Derry on Sunday week after sustaining injuries in the 2-9 to 2-9 draw with Sligo at the weekend.
Michaela, who scored 0-5 for the Mourne ladies, is understood to have a broken bone in her foot while Aileen has a broken finger. Sunday’s match at Ballykinlar was the first NFL outing since the Christmas break.
Although Down trailed by 2- 7 to 1-2 at the interval, they availed of the strong wind in the second half to claw their way back into the game. Lisa Morgan grabbed 2-2 for Down with Joanne Lavery and Martina McCaffery the other scorers. Sandra Roley (1-2) top scored for the visitors.
