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Donegal's Karl Lacey. INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Comeback Kid

The 2012 Footballer of the Year is fit and ready for his 2013 competitive debut

Donegal’s marquee defender is back fit for selection for next Sunday’s Ulster championship tie.

THE 2012 FOOTBALLER of the Year has yet to play a competitive inter-county game in 2013.

But he has declared himself fit and ready for his competitive debut this weekend.

Karl Lacey’s brilliance last season, when he blended resilient defending with dynamic counter-attacking to telling effect, was central to Donegal’s All-Ireland triumph.

However he underwent hip surgery before Christmas and as a result missed his county’s entire league campaign this spring.

Yet after emerging unscathed from recent challenge games against Galway and Roscommon, and a club match with Four Masters, Lacey has revealed he is available for selection for next Sunday’s eagerly-awaited Ulster showdown with Tyrone in Ballybofey.

“I’ve been back training with the lads now the last four or five weeks. I played in three games so the hip is feeling good. It was a bit of wear and tear from down through the years. Then in the club championship last year, I hurt it.

“It’s down to Jim (McGuinness) and Rory (Gallagher) now, and whether they believe I should be looking in, or fit enough for Sunday. I probably wouldn’t be where I am last year. But I have plenty of cardio sessions under my belt.

“I worked very closely with the medical team both in Santry in Dublin, and the physio and doctor at home. If I’m not ready myself I’ll let Jim know, but I feel that I am ready for this weekend.”

The hip-groin injury that Lacey suffered is symptomatic of a growing trend afflicting GAA players with teammates Mark McHugh and Neil Gallagher, and opponents like Dublin’s Eoghan O’Gara and Cork’s Patrick Kelly having been hampered with similar injuries this year.

Lacey has been fortunate to avoid injuries to date in his career and admits it was something he found difficult to contend with.

“It’s taken a little longer than expected. I’d two setbacks there for a couple of months with a calf injury. It’s a common enough injury now the hip/groin area. I’ve been very lucky with injury, never had a serious injury, only a couple of wee hamstrings. The whole rehab thing was new to me, and that’s frustrating.

“It was a lonely place to be. When you’re on your side doing stretching, or sitting on a sliotar, or heading to the pool, while the rest of the boys are out playing. You’ve just got to be patient, believe you will overcome it.”

Andy Moran

The sight of Mayo’s Andy Moran –  a teammate of Lacey’s on the 2008 UUJ Sigerson Cup winning side – making his comeback last weekend in Salthill lifted the Donegal player.

“I see Andy Moran came back  and that lifted me even more. To see that you can overcome these injuries, get back to the playing field. And I’m happy to do the same. It’s great to be back out with the lads, and it will be even better to be back out on the pitch with them on Sunday.”

Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

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