REPORTS: Dreadful injury rumours spelling the end of James McCarthy’s summer

This would be a massive, massive blow.

Reports are suggesting that James McCarthy could be out until September, potentially sidelining him for the rest of the season. The Dublin half back was withdrawn from the Leinster final squad last weekend and Eric Lowndes took his place in the number five jersey. Now, the Irish Mirror are reporting that the Ballymun man has suffered a medial ligament injury after landing awkwardly in training. Despite reported fears that McCarthy had sustained a cruciate injury, a scan is said to have confirmed that the athletic wing back had damaged his medial ligament and is facing six weeks out. Dublin will contest their All-Ireland quarter-final on August 6 against either Mayo or the winners from Donegal/Cork. Six weeks out of action would see McCarthy miss the quarters and semis if Dublin got that far and that lack of game time would leave him as a doubt headed for the third Sunday in September where he was so inspirational last year. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/645682394671022080 After the county claimed their sixth provincial title on the trot last Sunday, Jim Gavin played down McCarthy's injury and stated that he knows the player will be available the next day out.

"He got a contact injury on his quad on Wednesday," Gavin said. "We could've pushed him but it was five days and, with the new rules, you have to put your team in earlier than what it used to be so that kind of forced our hand on that one. "James is a very experienced player but Eric [Lowndes] did very well for the team and played his part. Hopefully we'll have James - well, I know we'll have him back for the next day."

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