Conway facing long lay-off after tearing cruciate ligament

INJURED Kildare ace Mikey Conway is set to face a major battle to play in even the latter stages of next year’s NFL campaign.

Conway tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee just before half-time in the fourth round Qualifiers’ clash against Wicklow, and, as a result, missed last Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Tyrone.

The Nurney clubman will have to delay having surgery for a few more weeks in order to build up his knee, and so he is unlikely to be able to return to competitive action until next year’s Leinster Championship.

“It will probably take Mikey eight to nine months to build up his knee to a satisfactory level after the operation,” said Kildare Board chairman Syl Merrins, “so I can’t see him being back for next year’s league.”

It’s certainly a case of trouble on the double for the unlucky Conway, as he tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee three years ago, and had to undergo surgery to correct the problem.

Conway injured his left knee in the opening round of this year’s campaign against Offaly. He was rested for the clash against Wexford, but returned for the Leinster semi-final and final against Laois and Dublin, respectively.

Meanwhile, Kildare selector Niall Carew says that the acquisition of some additional players is a major priority to strengthen the Lilywhites’ panel for next year’s campaign. Carew was highly pleased with his native county’s performances in this year’s championship.

But he feels that an injection of some fresh blood would help the Leinster runners-up to progress from their impressive display against Tyrone.

“This year, we introduced Hugh McGrillen and Robert Kelly into the senior panel, and they certainly made a big contribution for us,” said Carew.

“Hugh made the starting line-up, and Robert make a big impact when we introduced him as a sub in a number of matches.

“If could get two new lads, or even three, it would be a tremendous bonus towards further strengthening our panel for 2010.”

This year, Kildare lost out agonisingly on promotion to Division One of the National League, being pipped by Cork and Monaghan.

But Carew, a member of the St Kevin’s club, from near Clane, believes that disappointment could prove a blessing in disguise for the Lilywhites in the 2010 competition.

“Obviously, we wanted to be in Division One next year,” he pointed out. “But playing in Division Two could be more of an advantage in helping us try out new players.

“The standard of football and the quality of the teams is very high in Division Two, and, as well, you have more of a chance of trying out new players than you would have in Division One.”