Advertisement
Out of Action

Cruciate rules out Kerry minor attacker and captain also set to miss All-Ireland quarter-final

Jack O’Connor has injury worries to contend with.

 

Kerry celebrate with the trophy Kerry minor players celebrate their Munster final win over Tipperary. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

KERRY HAVE LOST an attacker to a cruciate injury and their captain with a knee problem for next Monday’s Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor football quarter-final.

Centre-forward Cormac Linnane struck 1-1 in the first-half of their Munster minor final win over Tipperary but was taken off injured before half-time of that game in Fitzgerald Stadium.

It subsequently emerged he tore his cruciate and will miss the rest of the season.

In a further setback for Kerry, captain Mark O’Connor is ruled out of the clash with Sligo in Tullamore due to tendonitis in his knee.

O’Connor is one of the few survivors from last year’s Kerry All-Ireland minor winning team and was also joint-captain of the PS Chorca Dhuibhne Hogan Cup winning side earlier this year.

Marc O'Conchuir and Brian O'Beaglaoich lift the trophy Mark O'Connor (left) after PS Chorca Dhuibhne's Hogan Cup win in April. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

“The only worry we have is that we’ve lost a couple of players from that game,” Kerry manager Jack O’Connor told Radio Kerry.

“Cormac Linnane did his cruciate in that game, he’s a big loss to us, a great young fella. He epitomised the heart and spirit of the team, the way he approached training and games.

“It’s very unlucky for him and he’s out for the season. The good thing is he’s a minor again next year and he can have a go at it next year

“But my heart goes out to him because he lives for the game.”

Jack O'Connor Kerry minor boss Jack O'Connor Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

“Our captain Mark O’Connor is out as well. He’s got a bit of tendonitis in his knee. He’s just got advice that he needs to let it settle down.

“Hopefully we can get over this quarter-final and get him ready for the semi-final. We’ll be depleted but we just hope other fellas can step up a bit now.

“This Sligo team have nothing to lose and we’ll be facing a big battle.”

Mark O'Connor lifts the trophy Mark O'Connor lifts the Munster trophy after the Kerry minor side's win over Tipperary. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Cork’s Ciaran Sheehan won’t return to Aussie Rules action with Carlton until 2016

Waterford star turns to cryotherapy in a bid to be fit for All-Ireland semis

Your Voice
Readers Comments
1
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.