THE CRUCIATE CURSE

Five players struck down with the injury.

COLM O’NEILL

(Cork & Ballyclough)

Location: Pearse Stadium in Galway on Sunday March 20, while playing for Cork against in Round 5 of Division 1 in the football league.

Form at the time: Encouraging. After stellar substitute cameos during the 2010 championship, O’Neill seemed poised to build on that form this season. He looked particularly sharp when firing 1-1 against Down in Páirc Uí Rinn eight days before being struck down with injury.

What will Cork miss: A viable corner-forward option to employ from the start or spring from the bench. Cork were grateful to the inspiration he provided in Killarney last June and in Croke Park last August.

DAVID MORAN

(Kerry & Kerins O’Rahillys)

Location: Páirc Grattan in Inniskeen on Sunday April 3, when Kerry faced Monaghan in Round 6 of Division 1 in the football league.

Form at the time: Hugely promising. Moran was starting to make his mark at senior level with his displays against Dublin in Croke Park and Armagh in the Athletic Grounds the standout moments.

What will Kerry miss: An infusion of youth and dynamism to their midfield sector. Moran’s recent form suggested that he was set to provide a solution to the Kingdom’s dilemma in the middle of the pitch.

JOHN TENNYSON

(Kilkenny & Carrickshock)

Location: Nowlan Park, while training with Kilkenny on Thursday July 29 last year, 10 days before their All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Cork.

Form at the time: Tennyson had not seen much game time in 2010, having been a regular fixture in the half-back line in 2009. However after Brian Hogan was sidelined with a shoulder injury, Tennyson was catapulted back into the frame for the decider with Tipperary.

What will Kilkenny miss: Steel in a defence that leaked an alarming amount of scores against Dublin in the league final. Given Kilkenny’s defensive injury travails and the additional loss of John Dalton with suspension, Tennyson’s loss is felt all the more.

PADDY BRADLEY

(Derry & Glenullin)

Location: Bellaghy, while playing for his club Glenullin against the home side in a Derry senior football league game on Saturday April 16.

Form at the time: Very impressive. Bradley had tapped into a scoring groove during Derry’s Division 2 campaign as he contributed 1-29 in seven games and also chipped in with 0-6 in their Dr McKenna Cup final win over Tyrone.

What will Derry miss: An attacking figurehead at the edge of the square who can be relied on for a healthy points total in every game. In his absence, the onus will transfer to younger brother Eoin and rejuvenated Conleth Gilligan.

PETER KELLY

(Kildare & Two Mile House)

Location: Páirc Tailteann in Navan on Tuesday, January 11 while lining out for UCD in the O’Byrne Cup opener against Kildare.

Form at the time: Kelly entered 2011 on the back of a super debut season which led to a deserved All Star award and everything pointed to him firmly establishing himself on the inter-county scene this year.

What will Kildare miss: A tidy corner-back who brought assurance and stability to a rearguard that was in ruins after Louth cut them apart in the Leinster championship last June.

STEPHEN HINEY

(Dublin & Ballyboden St Enda’s)

Location: Wexford Park on Sunday March 13 when he featured for Dublin in Round 4 of Division 1 in the Hurling league.

Form at the time: Optimism about Dublin’s hurling prospects was starting to soar with Hiney at the core of that. After claiming the Walsh Cup in February, Dublin’s win over Wexford propelled them top of Division 1.

What will Dublin miss: Vital strength and experience to a side teeming with young talents. After the euphoria of the league final win, Hiney would be a key figure in focusing minds on the championship battles ahead.