CELBRIDGE’S Fergal Conway will miss Sunday’s Leinster semi final clash in Croke Park against Dublin after damaging an eye socket during the replay victory over Laois in Tullamore last Saturday week.
Fergal Conway will miss Sunday’s game against Dublin after picking up an injury during the replay win over Laois
Photo: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton
The centre half back was first replaced in the 21st minute of the 3-18 to 1-11 win before returning eight minutes later but was permanently substituted at half time by Eoin Doyle.
Although the Kildare medical team were aware of a concussion at the time, initial x-rays showed no broken bones in the area but a follow up scan revealed a break and he was operated on early on Thursday morning.
“Initially we knew he had a pretty serious concussion and a very bad cut above his eye,” said Kildare manager Jason Ryan.
“X-rays showed there was no break but then he went for a CT scan they found that there was a break. He had surgery this morning on his eye socket. He is going to be out for three to four weeks and is very, very disappointed, I’d go as far as to say upset, that he is not able to play but for his own health, if he played and got a bang it could lead to permanent vision issues. It’s a risk that just wouldn’t be right to take. It’s hard for him, he’s worked so hard. The operation went well this morning though so we are thankful to Dr. Philip Aherne, Helen Fitzpatrick and David Lyons for their work and to everybody in Santry Sports Clinic who have worked hard to ensure that Fergal has been looked after in the best manner possible,” added Ryan.
Conway was handed his championship debut by Ryan in his first game in charge against Louth last year and has been a permanent fixture ever since so even though Kildare would appear to have a ready made replacement in Naas man Doyle, his loss will be keenly felt.
Apart from Conway, Ryan will be picking from the same squad as against Louth with Peter Kelly and Eamon Murphy, and long term absentee Keith Cribbin, still not available for selection.
“Peter Kelly is still in a bit of bother, he has improved dramatically over the last week or so and he has really made great strides so we’d like to think that he’d be fit and ready for a Leinster final, please God. Eamon Murphy still has some groin issues but apart from Fergal, Peter and Eamon, the rest are all fit. To have 32 players fit and well fighting for a place in the 26 and then in the starting 15 is really good competition. It’s a tough part of the job to tell somebody they are not in the 26 or not in the 15 but you need that competition to keep lads developing and progressing,” said Ryan.
With almost a full squad to choose from, Ryan has some tough choices to make, particularly around bow to utilise best the talents of Niall Kelly and Tommy Moolick after they made significant impacts after coming in from the substitute’s bench in both games against Laois.
“It’s a great headache after winning a game comfortably. The guys who started that game are in a strong position but then you have guys like Niall and Tommy, who are two really special talents, where do they fit in? How are they going to play? Are they going to start or are they going to come in? If they do start then whose place are they going to take? These are good headaches for us to have and we’re delighted to be in that position,” said Ryan.
