Dublin’s James McCarthy facing lengthy spell out

Dublin footballers have been dealt a major blow after it was revealed James McCarthy is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

The Dubs defender was forced to sit out last Sunday's Leinster final win over Westmeath at Croke Park, but manager Jim Gavin was confident he would be fit in time to feature in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

However according to reports in the Mirror the Ballymun Kickhams half-back has suffered medial ligament damage following an awkward fall in training, and is facing six weeks out.

This would make him unlikely to feature for Dublin again this season, unless the All-Ireland holders return to the final on September 18th.

McCarthy’s injury further weakens Dublin’s backline, with Gavin already without the services of Rory O’Carroll and Jack McCaffrey after they withdrew from the county panel.

Dublin’s next fixture is on August 6th at Croke Park with Donegal the likely opposition, providing the beaten Ulster finalists get past Cork in the qualifiers.