Lohan doubtful for Cork game

GAA NEWS: Clare full back Brian Lohan has turned to the Limerick sports injury clinic of Gerard Hartmann in an effort to sort out his knee injury ahead of the Munster hurling championship semi-final.

Lohan suffered the injury in the early stages of last Sunday's win over Tipperary, and is now racing against time to be fit for the game against Cork in Thurles on June 8th.

With wing back David Hoey already ruled out of that game with a broken ankle, and centre back and captain Sean McMahon also sidelined through suspension for a month or possibly longer, Lohan's participation is seen as crucial.

He managed to play out Sunday's game despite the obvious discomfort but is still unsure of the damage done.

Hartmann, however, has vast experience in dealing with such injuries. His reputation for swift and often extraordinary treatment of complex injuries has come mainly through athletics, and especially his work with British distance runner Paula Radcliffe, but he's also worked extensively with the Clare hurlers since returning from the US in 1997 to set-up his clinic in his native Limerick.

Yesterday Hartmann explained how Lohan's injury would require several more days of ice and rest before the swelling dies down and it could be fully diagnosed, but every effort would be made to get him fit for the Cork game. He also referred to the similar injury suffered last year by Clare defender Brian Quinn, and how he was still able to get through the championship season.

"Of course Brian is doubtful at the moment but we will do everything we can to get him back," said Hartmann. "And by Thursday morning we will have a better idea of how things are looking.

"But there is some damage there, and what looks like a minor tear to his medial collateral ligament. Right now he can't extend the leg fully. But it's still in the acute phase and it will mean waiting a few more days before deciding what to do next.

"If he's still not getting out of that acute phase in the next day or two then it might need a MRI scan. Hopefully it won't need surgery, but there's no point in getting the scan now when there's so much infiltration of swelling in the joint.

In the meantime Hartmann has prescribed a period of total rest, which means no training this week, not even gentle workouts in the swimming pool. Instead Lohan is undergoing intense daily physio, and also icing the knee between six and 10 times a day.

"Timing wise, it's not good news for Clare," added Hartmann, "but we'll do everything we can to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible. And I definitely wouldn't say he's out yet."

Hartmann's work with the Clare hurlers actually extends a little beyond the mere treatment of injuries. He also helped put together a fitness programme at the start of the year for Jamesie O'Connor, the fruits of which were seen on Sunday with O'Connors best game in four years.

He's also played a part in getting Ollie Baker back to full fitness after an operation seven months ago, and also expects him to return to his best form in the near future.

"Ollie is making a great comeback," he said, "and is playing a stone lighter than last year. So I expect he will come into play a lot more the weeks ahead."

The red card shown to McMahon for a swipe at Tipperary's Conor Gleeson midway through the second half of Sunday's game was, in Hartmann's view, a little unfortunate.

"He (McMahon) has such a clean record," said Hartmann, "and I honestly don't believe he had any intent whatsoever. I've worked with him for four years now and if ever a guy didn't deserve to get put off in those circumstances, then it was Seanie. I would say he's the cleanest player I have ever come across."

The Clare management though will remain in the dark for several more days before knowing his exact fate, and whether or not referee AodháMacSuibhne has reported him for a strike with the hurl, which carries the longer 12-week suspension.

The next Games Administration Committee meeting is scheduled for a week's time.

Clare county board secretary Pat Fitzgerald hoped to hear some word before the end of the week.

"We've had no indication yet," he said, "But it will depend on when the report is reviewed, and if we get any notification to attend the hearing."