Knee surgery could rule Mortimer out for season
The Shrule-Glencorrib man tore his medial ligament injury on his troublesome left knee while training for University of Ulster, Jordanstown before Christmas.
Mortimer has no cruciate in his left knee for the last seven years but has managed to play on by building up muscle around the joint to compensate and stabilise it. However, he admits the recent setback has left him facing the possibility of finally addressing the knee problem once and for all.
“It’s weaker than it’s ever been,” conceded Mortimer. “Fairly bad is how I’d put it. I won’t know until the end of the month when the medial ligament injury clears up and I can see just how bad the knee is.
“I’ve managed to go without the cruciate for so long but now may be the time to get it over and done with.”
Similar to Mortimer, former Armagh captain and current Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney endured several seasons without a cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Lilywhite midfielder Dermot Earley also suffers from the same predicament but is planning to go another season without surgery.
Mortimer knows full well that he can all but write off his 2011 season if he goes under the knife.
“I might have to drawn a line under the season altogether and that’s not the greatest thought in the world,” said the 28-year-old, who is studying for a masters degree in sports management in UUJ. “Then again, it may turn out I can go on without it for another season. I just don’t know.
“Right now, it doesn’t feel like I can ignore surgery but all I can do is wait and hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Under new manager James Horan, Mayo open their NFL Division One campaign against Down on Saturday, February 5.
The game is scheduled to be played under floodlights at Castlebar’s McHale Park. An Bord Pleanála last month gave the go-ahead to an altered redevelopment at the venue subject to 16 conditions although a residents association may yet appeal the decision.
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