WEXFORD GOALKEEPER EANNA Martin will miss out for Cork side Sarsfields in next Sunday’s Munster Club SHC semi-final against Thurles Sarsfields after sustaining a freak leg injury in the wake of their county final triumph last month.
Martin, a New Ross native who transferred to Sarsfields at the start of last season, plays outfield at club level and lined out at wing-back in their Cork senior decider success against Bishopstown.
But in the aftermath of that game he suffered a problem in his quad muscle which medics initially feared was compartment syndrome and ultimately necessitated an operation in hospital in Kilkenny to rectify it.
“I just thought it was a dead leg but by the Wednesday after the match, it had swelled up and tightened,” Martin told TheScore.ie. “I was at home in New Ross so ended up going straight to hospital in Kilkenny for scans and an ultra-sound.
“They thought at first it was compartment syndrome and that’d mean the loss of nerves at the top of my leg. But thankfully it didn’t turn out like that and it was just blood clot in my quad. So they opened up the quad during a small operation and were able to drain the blood out of it.
“I was in hospital for 4-5 days before coming home and I was laid up with the leg straight out. But I came off the crutches last Thursday and I was back to work on Monday after three weeks off. I’m a medical rep for Phoenix Labs based in Cork and would be on the road around Munster.”
Martin will definitely miss next Sunday’s tie in Semple Stadium and it is unclear whether he would be fit to return if Sarsfields were to progress to a Munster final.
“I’ve started doing some rehab work with Declan O’Sullivan who is the physio to the Cork hurling team and is excellent. I’m not back jogging yet but it’s just focusing on stretching at the moment. I’m still recovering with it but it’s come on a lot.
“It’s disappointing to miss out on Sunday. For myself and Eoin (Quigley – Wexford teammate), we’ve fitted in really well in the club since joining last year. It was a big moment for us to win the county title and I know the club wants to push on now to do well in Munster, starting next Sunday.”
Craig Leahy, who has huge experience from the Fitzgibbon Cup with Cork IT and Sarsfields county senior triumphs in 2008 and 2010, is the most likely replacement for Martin in defence.
Sarsfields, managed by 1999 Cork All-Ireland winner Pat Ryan, will also have attacker and former Cork captain Kieran ‘Fraggy’ Murphy available for selection as he returns this week from his honeymoon.
