Fermanagh's Martin McGrath out of championship

muppet · May 27, 2007, 09:36:39 PM

Just announced on BBC's 'The Championship' that McGrath suffered head injuries in an accident with a digger at his home. They said he will be out at least for the season. Hope it's not as bad as it sounded.

ExiledGael · May 27, 2007, 09:38:41 PM

He's still in hospital, terrible news!
Hope his injuries aren't as serious as feared
Fantastic player on his day and he's been dogged by heart trouble as well in recent years

ziggysego · May 27, 2007, 09:38:56 PM

QuoteFermanagh suffer McGrath blow

Fermanagh star Martin McGrath is set to miss the rest of the championship campaign after being injured while working at his home on Saturday. [/b]

The Ederney clubman was struck on the head by a digger and he remains in hospital after the accident.

A Fermanagh spokesman told BBC Sport that the injury plagued McGrath would be sidelined for some time.

The former Allstar played at full-forward for the Ernemen in last Sunday's Ulster SFC defeat by Tyrone.

It is just the latest setback for McGrath, who underwent two heart operations last year.

McGrath, already struggling for fitness following two recent heart operations, sprained an ankle in training.

For Antrim, Paddy Murray gets the nod in goals ahead of John Finucane to line out in a team which includes five St Gall's players.

Finucane played in most of the NFL when Murray was involved with St Gall's.

Murray's club-mate Kevin McGourty is named at full-forward.

The Antrim team shows only four changes from the side beaten by Tipperary in their final league game last month.

Christopher Breen has held on to the Fermanagh goalkeeper's jersey even though Niall Tinney is back from injury.

Ryan McCluskey has to serve a suspension carried over from last season having received a straight red card in Fermanagh's final match of the 2005 Championship against Down.

Despite Antrim's disappointing poor league campaign, Saffrons boss Mickey Culbert said his team would go into Sunday's game in confident mood.

"Fermanagh will probably be confident too but they will be under a certain amount of pressure, given that they are the Division 1 team," Culbert told BBC Sport.

Antrim: P Murray; A McClean, P Doherty, D Gault; A Scullion, A Convery, S Kelly; J Quinn, M McCann; C Close, B Herron, A Gallagher; K Brady, K McGourty, M Magill.

Fermanagh: C Breen; P Sherry, B Owens, S Goan; R Johnston, H Brady, S McDermott; M Murphy, L McBarron; M Lyttle, J Sherry, T Brewster; E Maguire, S Doherty, C O'Reilly.

Sourced BBCi: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/6697083.stm

J70 · May 27, 2007, 10:21:45 PM

Hit on the head by a digger! He's lucky to be alive, never mind worrying about football! Hope he recovers fully.

ExiledGael · May 27, 2007, 10:26:17 PM

Why does the BBC report on this news contain a preview and the team list of last year's Ulster Championship match with Antrim Ziggy?

ziggysego · May 27, 2007, 10:27:07 PM

Quote from: ExiledGael on May 27, 2007, 10:26:17 PM
Why does the BBC report on this news contain a preview and the team list of last year's Ulster Championship match with Antrim Ziggy?

Don't know Exiled. I don't work for the BBC.

Best asking Goals will come.

Jinxy · May 27, 2007, 11:38:48 PM

Thats awful news. Hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.

amigo · May 28, 2007, 10:31:39 AM

Best of luck for a speedy recovery Marty.

Stranworst · May 28, 2007, 07:39:02 PM

Was gonna say there why's Kevin McGourty name mentioned???!!!