By Terry McLaughlin
Paul McComiskey's footballing
future is in danger as MRI scan reveals collapsed
disc in his spine.
Down's brilliant young corner forward Paul
McComiskey has been diagnosed as suffering
from a serious lower back injury. The Sunday
Tribune can reveal that the 20-year-old Queen's
University student, regarded as one of the
most exciting attacking talents to emerge
in recent years has a collapsed disc in his
spine.
The injury will rule him
out of playing any part in next Saturday's
first round qualifier tie between Offaly and
Down. The long-term consequences of the injury
in terms of McComiskey's playing career are
still unknown. The initial treatment package
for the injury will inevitably include a significant
rest period before the prospect of any return
to competitive sport becomes a reality. At
this stage the chances of McComiskey being
able to play meaningful football this season
are bleak.
It also seems certain to
put on hold the interest that has been expressed
by a number of Australian Rules clubs in securing
the services of McComiskey on a professional
contract basis. His performances with Down
and with Queen's University had been monitored
over the past 12 months. It sparked a feeding
frenzy from AFL scouts determined to secure
McComiskey's signature.
Brisbane Lions have already
held preliminary informal discussions with
the player with a view to him travelling out
to Australia to see what the club had to offer
in terms of a full-time football career.
And former hawthorne AFL
player Rickey Nixon, who is now regarded as
one of the leading agents in Aussie Rules
Football, and who has links with a network
of top Rules clubs, has earmarked McComiskey
as a leading candidate capable of transferring
to the professional sphere.
Last month Nixon contacted
the Dundrum clubman to ask if McComiskey would
take part in a series of trial matches for
potential AFL recruits to be held after the
completion of the All Ireland championships.
The player has consistently said that any
decision on his future would have to wait
until he completes his final year accountancy
exams.
From a Down Gaelic football
perspective McComiskey is viewed as an integral
component in Ross Carr's squad. He came to
national prominence when he won an All Ireland
minor title with Down three seasons ago. His
man of the match performance, which included
a personal tally of 1-3 confirmed the astonishing
potential he first displayed after breaking
into senior club football at just 14.
That progress has been maintained
as a member of the Queen's Sigerson Cup squad
and when he joined Down's senior setup last
season. His temperament under pressure was
underlined when he converted the injury time
leveller point against Tyrone in the Ulster
championship epic last month.
Confirmation of the spinal
complaint was given to the Down player after
he had his MRI scan at a private Belfast clinic
on Thursday afternoon. Further tests will
be carried out on the player before a final
decision is taken on what course of remedial
action is to be followed.
The news will come as a devastating
blow to Down's hopes of progressing in the
All Ireland championship via the qualifiers.
McComiskey's expected unavailability, coupled
with the season-long loss of Liam Doyle with
cruciate ligament damage will place further
restrictions on Ross Carr's already tightly
stretched options.
The plans for a new look
front line attack formation Down had hoped
to build between McComiskey and Benny Coulter
are now in jeopardy. The chemistry between
Coulter and the 20-year-old was one that many
in Ulster believed held the key to reviving
Down's fortunes.
It is understood that the
spinal injury has been troubling the player
for a number of months. Initially the Down
medical team had hoped that physiotherapy
might be sufficient to alleviate what was
initially thought to be a muscle problem.
The use of McComiskey by the Down management
as a second half impact substitute was also
part of a conscious decision to protect the
player as much as possible.
The sparing usage of the
corner forward by Down had provoked criticism
from sections of the media and from supporters.
The consensus of opinion was that such a gifted
individual was being wasted sitting on the
bench. It now appears that the limited involvement
of McComiskey was more linked to protecting
him from worsening the injury rather than
any tactical motives.
In recent weeks the injury
situation has become markedly worse. It was
clear even in club matches and training sessions
that the problem was significantly restricting
McComiskey's acceleration and mobility. The
increasing pain he was suffering in his lower
back and in the nerves of his right leg triggered
his inevitable MRI move last Thursday. The
devastating implications of the scan represent
an unwanted chapter in Paul McComiskey's career.
However, those that know him are convinced
it won't be the final chapter.
