O’Donnell injury blow for Dundalk

Dundalk’s excellent start to the season has received a major blow with the news that their captain Stephen O’Donnell’s campaign is over.

The 28-year-old midfielder injured a knee in a challenge with Shamrock Rovers’ Shane Robinson in Friday’s 2-2 draw at Oriel Park. A scan subsequently revealed O’Donnell has torn his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.

“Stephen has been an inspiring captain for us,” said manager Stephen Kenny. “He has been outstanding since his arrival at the club and I believe his performances have elevated further this season… he has been the best player in the league so far in 2014. He’s devastated at the news and the thoughts of everybody at the club are with him.”