Blow for Galway as Cillian McDaid suffers leg injury

INJURY BLOW: Galway have been dealt a significant blow with the news that key player Cillian McDaid is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a leg injury last weekend. . Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Galway have been dealt a significant blow with the news that key player Cillian McDaid is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a leg injury last weekend.

The All-Star suffered a fractured tibia while playing for his club Monivea Abbey on Sunday in the Galway intermediate semi-final. McDaid went down in the first half of the game against Cortoon Shamrocks and eventually limped off the field. Monivea Abbey went on to secure a 2-12 to 0-11 victory. They will take on Kilconly in the intermediate decider next week.

Former AFL player McDaid struggled with injuries throughout 2023 and missed the league final defeat versus Mayo in Croke Park. He is now set for several months on the sideline.

“He is going to be in a boot for eight weeks. He is on crutches now. It’s a fracture,” explained Monivea Abbey manager Francis Roche. “He is a top professional; he does everything by the book. He is devastated now. He is our captain and leader. We’ll have to try get out and win it for him.” 

Meanwhile, promising midfielder Sam O’Neill has been ruled out with a torn PCL and meniscus for approximately four months. The St James’ clubman suffered the injury in the Galway SFC quarter-final. O’Neill was a leading performer for the U2Os this season and joined the senior squad after their campaign came to an end in the Connacht final.