Ireland’s injury worries escalated today ahead of Friday’s opening International Rules test match against Australia with the news that Cavan midfielder Dermot McCabe will definitely miss the game after aggravating a sore ankle.
McCabe had suffered a slight skin irritation to his left ankle but it swelled badly after an Australian medical official bandaged it too tightly.
"Dermot is definitely not fit to play," Ireland team manager Brian McEniff told ireland.comtoday. "He is walking around very gingerly."
McEniff also rated Kildare’s Niall Buckley "doubtful" for Friday’s clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Buckley was forced to limp off with a hamstring injury during yesterday’s facile 102-10 victory over an Australian Institute of Sport selection.
"Niall suffered a hamstring injury yesterday, it doesn’t look too bad but he was given a cortisone injection today. We will wait until tomorrow before deciding if he is match fit but at the moment I would say he is doubtful for Friday," explained McEniff.
Meanwhile, the Australian squad are still experimenting with suitable players to fill the vacant goalkeeper position. There are no goalkeepers in Australian Rules football and the position has given management selection headaches in the past.
After Andrew Kellaway’s heroics between the posts in Dublin last year the Australian management committee will have a tough job finding a suitable replacement.
Former Test goalkeeper Stephen Silvagni - ruled out of this series through injury - has been offering his advice to Australian coach Garry Lyon and his assistants.
Squad members Simon Goodwin, David King and Joel Bowden have been tried out in the position over the course of the week. Speaking in today's Herald Sun, Lyon explained why he may be leaning towards Goodwin.
"He probably looks as comfortable as any. David King is another option. We might use a couple during the day. We have got a pretty open mind," Lyon said.
"We went for Simon, who has played before . . . and he looked really good."
