Dubs’ disaster as Griffin ruled out for the season

DUBLIN’S Allianz NFL and Leinster title hopes have been rocked by confirmation that captain Paul Griffin will miss the rest of the year.

Griffin crumpled in agony after landing awkwardly against Monaghan last Saturday night and scans revealed he ruptured cruciate knee ligaments.

The experienced Kilmacud Crokes defender was hoping for the best but scans yesterday revealed the worst possible news.

He’ll undergo surgery early next week in Santry, north Dublin and admitted he could miss up to 12 months of action.

It means boss Pat Gilroy will have to immediately install a new team captain with vice-captain Barry Cahill the obvious replacement.

Despite the setback, Griffin insists Dublin, top of the league after four wins from four, have lots of defensive options and can maintain their good form.

“We’ll keep building, we’ve had a couple of good performances and I think we can continue that,” said Griffin. “A lot of young guys have come in and done very well.

“It’s still all about building towards that game against Wexford in the summer.”

Dublin boss Pat Gilroy will this morning confirm his team to face Cork in tomorrow night’s top-of-the-table league clash at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Meanwhile, Tyrone assistant manager Tony Donnelly last night dismissed reports Enda McGinley has quit the panel. McGinley has taken a break in an effort to recover from niggling injuries, and will not be involved in the county’s remaining three NFL games against Galway, Kerry and Dublin. But he is expected to be back in action ahead of the Ulster Championship opener against Antrim on May 23.

“It’s only a temporary thing. He has had a few niggling injuries, and he was contemplating maybe missing out on the first part of the league,” said Donnelly.

It’s understood the 29-year-old triple All-Ireland winner has a quad problem and other minor injuries, none of which are serious.