A CRUCIATE ligament injury has brought a premature end to the inter-county season for emerging Monaghan forward Barry McGinn.
The Farneymen are preparing for Sunday’s Division One clash with Kerry in Killarney, and boss Malachy O’Rourke has admitted losing the 20-year-old so early in the year is “a real sickener”.
McGinn, a star of Monaghan’s Ulster U21 success last year who was still eligible to play at that grade this year, sustained the injury playing in the Farney county’s Shamrock Cup victory over Derry last weekend.
And he tweeted yesterday afternoon: “Gutted to have found out I have torn my cruciate and join the dreaded ACL club. Tough times ahead but ill be back stronger than ever. #2018”
Rated as one of the top attacking prospects in the county, it is a bitter blow for McGinn and O’Rourke, who sprung the Doohamlet forward from the bench in Monaghan’s National League draw with Cavan earlier this month.
“It’s a real sickener for Barry,” said the Farney boss.
“He did the shoulder last year and we were just nursing him back to fitness. He came on the last day against Cavan and then played in the Sigerson [for University College Dublin].
“We really felt he could make a difference this year, as the year went on and he got more game time under his belt. He was somebody we would’ve been looking to as somebody who could really stake a claim for a first team spot.
“It’s unfortunate for everyone but moreso for Barry because he lives for football, he puts a massive effort into it. He’s a great lad.”
Despite this latest injury setback, O’Rourke insists McGinn still has a bright future in the Monaghan jersey.
He added: “Most of them [ACL injuries] you’re looking at a six to nine month period of rehabilitation, so it’s definitely not looking good for this year.
“We’d hope to keep him fully involved in the panel. It’s just one of the hazards of playing football and you have to get on with it.
“He’s a young lad and we’ll give him all the support he needs. I’m sure he’ll make a full recovery.”
