ARMAGH midfielder Ciaran Mackin will miss the rest of the inter-county season after he underwent surgery on a fractured eye socket.
The 23-year-old from the Shane O’Neill’s club in Camlough was sidelined after his right eye was damaged in an off-the-ball incident in the aftermath of Armagh’s round seven Division One loss against Donegal in Letterkenny. A second surgery on the injury was successful but Mackin will play no further part in Armagh’s Championship campaign which continues on June 5 with an All-Ireland Qualifier against Tyrone.
An injury to Oisin O’Neill created an opportunity for Mackin in midfield at the outset of the season and he grabbed it with both hands. After an impressive performance against Dublin in Armagh’s win at Croke Park, he established himself as a combative ball-winner in midfield with a series of composed and energetic performances for the Orchardmen and also chipped in with scores including a goal after just 14 seconds against Mayo at Dr Hyde Park.
Armagh are also expected to be without Clann Eireann’s Tiernan Kelly for their clash with the Red Hands. Like Mackin, half-forward Kelly established himself in Kieran McGeeney’s first 15 this season but he is expected to miss the remainder of the inter-county season due to a blood-clot issue.
Armagh go into the Athletic Grounds’ clash on the back of a disappointing performance against Donegal in Ballybofey. Expectations were high in the Orchard Camp before throw-in but the Orchardmen, who struggled to get a foothold in midfield, were well beaten at the finish.
Reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone were dethroned as Ulster’s top dogs by Derry in a humiliating semi-final loss on their home turf at Healy Park. Shane McGuigan’s penalty opened up a six-point lead in the first half and there was no way back for the Red Hands who lost 1-18 to 0-10 in Omagh.
