O'Hara close to return
Wednesday March 10 2010
Sligo midfielder, Eamonn O’Hara, is reported to be close to a return to action and could even force his way into contention for the county’s crunch showdown with Offaly at Markievicz Park on Sunday (throw-in 2.30pm).
The Tourlestrane man sustained a broken wrist in a Connacht FBD League game against Leitrim at the end of January and was expected to be out of action for most of the Allianz League. However, the injury has healed quicker than anticipated and the inspirational midfielder should be ready to return to action soon.
In ideal circumstances, Sligo would not wish to rush the former All Star back into competitive duty but the team’s indifferent form coupled with an untimely injury crisis could force the selectors to take a gamble on O’Hara’s fitness.
Eugene Mullen, who has nailed down a regular midfield place over the last year, is set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring a collar bone against Wexford last Sunday while Kenneth Sweeney and Charlie Harrison are also nursing injuries ahead of the Offaly clash.
Sweeney was named in the team to face Wexford but didn’t even make the bench while Harrison limped out of the game near the end and is facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s fixture.
With just two points from their opening three games, Sligo suddenly find themselves at a defining stage of the season. They have two successive home games against Offaly on Sunday and Cavan the following week and the outcome of these fixtures could well determine whether it’s a relegation dogfight or a promotion push over the closing weeks of the League.
Manager, Kevin Walsh, will be demanding a huge improvement from his players and if they can recapture the sparkling form they displayed in 2009 they can still turn things around over the next crucial weeks.
Meanwhile, Sligo is set for a bumper GAA weekend with an attractive Colleges double-header at Charlestown on Saturday. St. Attracta’s College, Tubbercurry, take on St. Louis, Kiltimagh, in the Senior ‘B’ final at 1pm while Summerhill College meet St. Gerald’s, Castlebar, in the ‘A’ final at 2.30pm.
Sligo hurlers are back in action this week-end as well. They face a tricky assignment away to Wicklow in Division 3 B on Sunday. Sligo ladies will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they take on Kildare at Geevagh on Saturday.
- Leo Gray
