Football

Niall Grimley and Andy Murnin doubts for Armagh

Armagh's Niall Grimley (pictured) and Andy Murnin are injury doubts for Saturday's qualifier in Castlebar. Picture by Seamus Loughran
Armagh's Niall Grimley (pictured) and Andy Murnin are injury doubts for Saturday's qualifier in Castlebar. Picture by Seamus Loughran Armagh's Niall Grimley (pictured) and Andy Murnin are injury doubts for Saturday's qualifier in Castlebar. Picture by Seamus Loughran

NIALL Grimley and Andy Murnin are both major doubts for Armagh’s qualifier tie with Mayo this weekend.

Grimley turned in his best performance in two years for his county with a brilliant display at midfield against Monaghan, where his partnership with Jarlath Óg Burns was central to their win.

But the Madden man left the field in stoppage time nursing an elbow injury following a collision with Kieran Hughes.

Murnin was also withdrawn early in the second half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He missed the entire National League campaign with a similar complaint, and has previously spoken about how that’s affected the way he now plays.

“I was playing in midfield but it became evident that I could no longer handle that role with the way that midfield players have to run around now so I was moved into full-forward.

“That changed my game completely. I don’t have to run around so much and I am enjoying my new role… I just couldn’t handle midfield at present,” he told The Irish News last year.

Given the physical stature of Aidan O’Shea at midfield for Mayo, Grimley’s injury would most likely open the door for Charlie Vernon to make a return to the side.

Stephen Sheridan was not named in their 26-man squad in Clones as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, which seems unlikely to have cleared up by Saturday. Oisin O’Neill was on the squad but hasn’t been used yet this summer by Kieran McGeeney.

James Horan’s side were dealt another injury blow in that area with the news that Diarmuid O’Connor is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken wrist in training on Tuesday evening.

His bad luck comes just over a week after Matthew Ruane, who had made strides as O’Shea’s new midfield partner, suffered a broken collarbone, also in training.