O'Hara's playing career hangs in the balance

Eamonn O'Hara's inter-county career is hanging in the balance after he suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in a club game.

Sligo's talisman was lining out for Tourlestrane in a Championship clash with St. Mary's last weekend when he rupturing the ligament and had to be stretchered off.

This latest injury has plunged the midfielder-cum-forward's future in the county jersey into serious doubt.

O'Hara had recently completed his 18th season with the Sligo footballers, playing in their Connacht quarter-final defeat to Leitrim and the All-Ireland first round qualifier loss to Wicklow.

The 35-year-old was absent for a number of months during the 2010 campaign due to a snapped tendon in his foot. He also had a cruciate injury in his other knee back in 2005.

The former All-Star, who helped Sligo win the Connacht title in 2007, has previously considered inter-county retirement, but it may be forced on him this time.

Sligo County Board Chairman Cyril Feehily found O'Hara to be in a 'very philosophical' mood when he spoke with him earlier this week.

"It would be very sad if he went out like that. You really don't want to think about something like that - he's probably in enough trauma as it is," said Feeney.

"But I know for sure that he will not be lost to the GAA yet. He'll play a big part in the years to come at some level."