Brian McGuigans Bad Luck

[marty88]

I feel for any man born in Tyrone.

[new devil]

U would feel any man born in tyrone

[Star Spangler]

This weeks Ulster Herald.  It's nice to finally hear some positive news.

McGuigan hopes to be back for next season

INJURY-stricken Tyrone star Brian McGuigan is cautiously optimistic of a return to Championship action next season- further good news for all Red Hands supporters in the week that Micky Harte's men reclaimed the Ulster title.

There had been speculation that the supremely gifted Ardboe playmaker might never represent his county again after suffering an horrific eye injury in a club reserve match back in May.

However McGuigan was this week upbeat about his prospects of returning to the county fold in 2008 if given the medical go-ahead to resume his playing career.

The former All-Star was a frustrated television viewer last Sunday as Tyrone saw-off Monaghan by two points at Clones but his plight is clearly never far from the minds of the current panel and that was evident in team captain Brian Dooher's victory speech where he made special mention of the Ardboe man.

However in a radio interview this week Brian acknowledged that he was lucky to be able to see the game at all and recounted the incident in the game against Aghyaran when his eye was damaged.

" It was just over two months ago in a reserve game. I was just trying to get a feel of the ball again in my first game back after breaking my leg. I thought playing the reserve game would give me a bit more time on the ball.

" Its hard to tell what happened. I kicked the ball away and a fella came in from the side and caught me on the eye. I tried to get up but the left eye was completely blind, things were just pure black

" I went over to the sideline and they were putting water on it. They were asking if I was okay because the eye was split open and blood was seeping out.

"I knew something was wrong. Our manager rung an optician he knew and explained the symptoms and was told that it sounded like it was a detached retina.

" By the time I got to hospital in Derry the surgeon confirmed that there was a lot of damage inside the eye. He said I had a detached retina and dislocated lens, with a lot of the ligaments ripped."

Not surprisingly Brian admitted it was an extremely frightening experience.

" It was scary. I was completely blind in one eye for about an hour but slowly I could start making out colours so I was hopeful that my sight would come back gradually. It was worrying though and a complete shock that something like this could happen on a football field."

He then outlined the slow recuperation process that he is currently undergoing.

" I have had three operations so far and the specialist said I would need at least one more probably two. Everyday it seems to be getting slightly better but the improvement day to day is quite minimal. If I covered the other eye, then I can see in front of me but it is quite blurred. I can't read or write as yet."

Brian though was obviously heartened last weekend as he watched his erstwhile colleagues annex the Anglo-Celt Cup and said that he had sought to remain involved with the camp.

" This last couple of weeks I've started going to their training sessions, catching up with the boys. They are back at Croke Park now after winning on Sunday so hopefully I'll be able to travel with the team, it would be great to be involved in some capacity.

" It's frustrating alright, especially having sat out last year with the broken leg and then working so hard to get back from that injury. Then suddenly you find you are back to square one again.

" But I have to stay upbeat and hope to be back next year. The specialist hopes to have me back for the Championship, which is my aim. It's a waiting game right now to see how the healing process goes.

" Psychologically you don't know how it will go coming back from it but I know it will be a gradual process to get back playing again."

[orangeman]

That's the first slightly positive news I've heard and seen  -so hopefully he'll be able to return next year. I hope his progress continues.

[Davitt Man]

he must have got some belt in the eye to do all that damage, its a disgrace that it happened and in a reserve game too, was anyone at this game and tell us what exactly happened.

[magpie seanie]

It must have been some shocking dirty clatter.

[neutral]

Its about time the lad got a bit of a break.Onwards and upwards and his brother can do him proud till he gets back.   

[orangeman]

Neutral - thanks for the support for Brian - do you mean his brother can do him proud in the Ardboe jersey till he comes back ? Or did you mean the Tyrone jersey ? Please tell me you're an admirer of Ardboe and not a critic ! PLEASE !

[orangeman]

Apparently Brian was back in hospital this week again having another operation for another tear in the retina - not having much luck at all - hope he gets a bit of luck soon.

[Star Spangler]

Brilliant News!

McGuigan set for spring return


Wednesday, August 22.

Tyrone footballer Brian McGuigan could make a return to the game as early as next spring, according to his father.
The Red Hand star sustained a career-threatening eye injury during a club match in May and played no part in Tyrone's 2007 championship campaign.
The 27-year-old two-time All-Ireland medal winner underwent vital surgery on his eye just weeks after he had completed a successful recovery from a double leg fracture he sustained in 2006.
However, McGuigan's father, Frank, a former inter-county star himself, has allayed any fears that his son will never play the game again.
"The surgeon says that, touch wood, he may be able to go back to football training as early as next spring," McGuigan told the Star.
"That is optimistic, but it's great news because before he could talk only in hopeful terms. Things, unfortunately, took a turn for the worse three weeks ago...when Brian began to see shadows and was recalled to hospital.
"They did a scan of the retina and carried out another operation in order to hold the retina in place. He will in due course have an artificial lens placed in his eye," McGuigan added.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Excellent!

[magpie seanie]

I feel guilty wishing he does come back playing football. Its weird. The most important thing is the lads vision is fixed and he can have a normal life. If he chooses to come back playing football after that then that's the icing on the cake.

This news is very encouraging and welcome.

[orangeman]

Brilliant news IF it is true given that he has just recovered from another retinal tear surgical operation. I hope the news is good - I hope that all the news from here on is good news. It would be fantastic to see one of Ireland's best ever playing again.

[Star Spangler]

Brilliant news IF it is true

I don't think it would be like Frank McGuigan to make out things were better than they were.  In fact....

[inisceithleann]

Excellent news regarding McGuigan but I hope he doesn't rush it, even if it means missing next years championship. If there is any risk, even if just a small one of a repeat injury, I would advise him to call it a day. He is an amateur player and there is a long life after football. It'll be a big call on his part to make. Will he ever come back the player he once was?