Down hurling star, Paul Braniff is to attend a specialist when he will be informed when he will be able to undergo surgery to repair the cruciate ligament he damaged some weeks ago in Gaelic Park, New York in the Ulster SHC clash with New York.

It is hoped that swelling will be significantly reduced to determine a timescale for his operation. Down Co. Board officials suggest that surgery may go ahead in the coming weeks.

Braniff the current Down hurling team captain missed out on the recent Ulster Final and replay games against Antrim, and his absence proved a huge loss to the Mourne side. He is likely to miss next season’s entire Division One campa

ign. The recovery period is approximately ten months for this type of injury.