Updated 20.25
DUBLIN DEFENDER KEVIN O’Brien’s worst fears have been confirmed with the news that he tore his cruciate ligament in a Sigerson Cup game yesterday and will miss the rest of the season.
O’Brien’s injury has been confirmed today after scans revealed he suffered damage to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in his right knee.
He was in severe pain when he went to the ground near the sideline after sustaining the injury towards the end of his Dublin IT side’s quarter-final defeat against UUJ at Parnells GAA club in Coolock yesterday afternoon.
O’Brien went to Beaumount Hospital afterwards to get the knee assessed and it has been confirmed that he suffered the injury.
Dublin manager Jim Gavin said: “On a personal level this is extremely disappointing for Kevin who played a significant role during the 2013 National Football League, Leinster and All-Ireland campaigns.
Our team medical protocols have been activated to ensure that he will receive the best of medial care and the Dublin Football coaching staff will actively assist Kevin in his recovery over the weeks and months ahead.We wish Kevin a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back to full health in the near future.
O’Brien captained the Dublin U21 footballers to win the All-Ireland title in 2012 with a final win over Roscommon. Last year he burst onto the senior scene and started for Jim Gavin’s Sam Maguire winning team in the Leinster final again Meath, the All-Ireland quarter-final against Cork and the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry.
The Naomh Mearnóg club man also lined out in defence last year as part of the DIT side that won the Sigerson Cup in Athlone with a final victory over UCC.
– Originally published 12.30
