Lacey: If Moran can return to play, so can I

Footballer of Year Karl Lacey drew inspiration from Andy Moran in his own bid to return from serious injury in time for Donegal’s championship opener.

Lacey will get his last chance at training this evening to prove he is fully overcome hip and calf injuries, respectively, ahead of Sunday’s eagerly-awaited Ulster quarter-final clash with Mickey Harte’s Tyrone.

The three-time All Star defender missed Donegal’s entire Allianz League campaign. He firstly underwent surgery on his hip last December and then picked up a calf injury during his rehabilitation. He believes he’s fit enough to line out at Ballybofey’s MacCumhaill Park but admitted he still needs to convince boss Jim McGuinness that he’s up to it.

The 28-year-old Four Masters man has vowed to push himself to the limit during tonight’s session and will be driven on by Moran’s successful return from cruciate trouble during Mayo’s big win over Galway last weekend.

“I’ve seen Andy Moran coming back at the weekend and that lifted me even more, to see that you can overcome these injuries and get back to the playing field,” said Lacey.

“I’m happy to be doing the same.

“All the rehab was new to me and it was a lonely place to be. When you’re on your side doing stretching or sitting on a sliothar or heading to the pool while the rest of the boys are out playing, it’s tough going.

“But you’ve just got to be patient, believe you will overcome it. And thankfully I’ve been back on the pitch this last few weeks.”

Lacey admitted that had the All-Ireland champions been paired off with any team other than rivals and All-Ireland contenders Tyrone, his comeback may have been delayed.

“If we had an easier run in [to the championship] maybe Jim might have let me off a wee bit,” continued Lacey.

“But he’s been pushing me hard and rightly so. I’ve been pushing myself hard the last few weeks because this is the game. There has been enough talk about it the last couple of months.

“I’d say he has been pushing me on a wee bit hard to get fit for it. It’s a dangerous place to be as well. You have got to be careful and think ahead. Hopefully it’s going to be a long year.

“But you do want to play in the big matches and it’s going to be a sell-out crowd on Sunday. You are playing against Tyrone — one of the best teams in the country. Those are the games you want to be involved in.”

Lacey accepted that ultimately it will be the management’s call whether he plays or not. He played a full challenge last week against Roscommon and plans to prove he’s fully fit at tonight’s session.

“It’s down to Jim and Rory [Gallagher] now, whether they believe I should be looking in or that I’m fit enough for Sunday,” said Lacey.

“It’s up to them. We’ve one more training session [tonight] before Sunday. I’ll give it everything and hopefully that will have me available for selection on Sunday.”