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Post by mickmack on May 4, 2007 9:07:56 GMT
Its hard to see Francie coming back to play for Armagh. As far as i know he is a plasterer or blocklayer so I hope he is well looked after while out of work.
He is a legend all right. Every team needs a Francie.
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bigmac
Junior Member
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Post by bigmac on May 4, 2007 9:27:12 GMT
from the bbc
Armagh full-back Francie Bellew has been ruled out of this year's Bank of Ireland Football Championship. Scans have revealed that Bellew suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in a recent club game and he is certain to be out for several months.
It's a massive injury blow for Armagh who are already currently without Ronan Clarke, Brian Mallon and JP Donnelly.
Despite the injury, Joe Kernan is said to be optimistic that Bellew will return to the intercounty game.
The tough Armagh defender has been a tremendous servant for club and county.
He has regularly played through the pain barrier for both Crossmaglen and Armagh but this serious injury makes a long spell on the sidelines inevitable.
The Armagh squad are currently five-day training camp in La Manga.
Armagh face Donegal in their Ulster Championship opener at Ballybofey on 27 March.
Ulster officials are said to be happy that the Ballybofey ground will be ready for the game.
Provincial secretary Danny Murphy and Ulster president Tom Daly held a meeting with Donegal officials to discuss the ongoing development earlier this week.
"Arising from the visit, there was agreement on the full schedule of works to be undertaken, and the immediate requirements will be completed in advance of the Donegal v Armagh championship game on 27 May," said Danny Murphy.
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bigmac
Junior Member
Posts: 87
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Post by bigmac on May 4, 2007 9:28:07 GMT
and the indo
Bellew blow puts Armagh defensive plan in disarray Friday May 4th 2007 ADVERTISEMENT Rock of Ages: Francie Bellew's resilience will be sorely missed by Armagh in the championship this year
Injury to seasoned full-back forces Kernan into rethink
ARMAGH have been left with a gaping hole in their full-back line at the worst possible time of the year after losing 2003 All-Star Francie Bellew for the rest of the season.
Confirmation that Bellew has ruptured his cruciate knee ligament not only leaves Armagh boss Joe Kernan with a disastrous defensive dilemma four weeks before their Ulster Championship opener but given the time-consuming rehab programme needed to recover from a snapped cruciate, it could yet bring a premature end to the 30-year-old career.
A MRI scan earlier this week has confirmed the extent of Bellew's injury, which he suffered in the first round of the local league last week.
"He's going to be out for months and months, it's very serious," said Armagh boss Kernan. "He has been our Mr Reliable and this is very hard to take, for Francie and the team."
Kernan is particularly frustrated by the 'cruciate curse' that seems to have hit Armagh particularly badly this season. Ronan Clarke, Brian Mallon and JP Donnelly are all out with the dreaded anterior cruciate problems. The ACL is the main stabiliser of the knee and, if ruptured, needs surgery and a long rehabilitation.
Teak-tough
Bellew's club commitments with All-Ireland champions Crossmaglen meant he had missed all of the National League when Enda McNulty filled in for him at number three.
But the teak-tough, talismanic full-back was set to resume his key defensive role for the Ulster Championship, something that was particularly important given Armagh's tough draw.
They have to travel to Ballybofey on May 27 to meet new League champions Donegal whose full-forward line, particularly Colm McFadden, were most effective in their run to League glory.
Armagh left yesterday for their now habitual pre-Championship training camp in Spain's La Manga resort for five days but a devastated Bellew did not travel with them.
"We will arrange a date for his operation when we get back," Kernan said. "It's different rebuilding the knee when you're 30 compared to when you're 21, but we will do everything we can to get Francie back."
The Ulster Council said yesterday that they have met Donegal officials and are satisfied that all of the work needed to be done on MacCumhaill Park ahead of that game will be completed in time.
Galvin doubt
Meanwhile, Limerick was another county reeling from injury setbacks yesterday. Midfielder John Galvin is a major doubt for the Limerick footballers ahead of their Munster SFC opener against Cork on May 20.
In another blow to Shannonside dreams of causing a Leeside ambush, Jason Stokes is definitely out having failed to shake off a long-term pelvic injury. Manager Mickey Ned O'Sullivan rates Galvin as among the top midfielders but now fears a hamstring injury could scupper his involvement at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
"He's just 50-50. He got it against Cork (last NFL game) but aggravated it recently. He's not training, he's undergoing treatment," O'Sullivan revealed.
Corner-back Shane Gallagher and forward John Cooke are also struggling with hamstring problems. Limerick must plan without Stokes, who has alternated between midfield and full-forward.
"He has a long-term injury and is not featuring at the moment and certainly won't be right for the Cork game," O'Sullivan said.
"The solution is long-term physiotherapy. He's not very optimistic about progress at the moment, so we may have to look at other options - maybe orthopaedic options."
Cliona Foley
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joan
Full Member
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Post by joan on May 4, 2007 13:13:05 GMT
hard luck on francie. Big loss to Armagh,
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Post by mrtierneyesq on May 6, 2007 20:50:37 GMT
That's sad, a great player, and one of the great characters of the game, will be missed by everyone. Except Mickey Linden
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Post by sullyschoice on May 7, 2007 20:54:17 GMT
Pat Spillanes mother could defect to Armagh...isnt she faster than Francie
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Post by mickmack on May 7, 2007 21:29:20 GMT
Imagine saying that at half time in an all ireland final. Some clown.
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Post by animal on May 8, 2007 9:17:30 GMT
Bad loss to Armagh alright. Its hard to see them compete this year. No Bellew. No McAntees no Aidan O'Rourke. They'll also wonder if Oisín has the legs for another season. I'd say though that Bellew is the big worry for them. it was touch and go whether they'd be able to challenge for another year and this might decide that. Bad luck indeed. You'd rather see games decided between two teams with all players available but such is life. The loss might be counter balanced by Donegal's loss of Deveanny.
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Post by mickmack on May 8, 2007 17:41:30 GMT
Cam someone copy and paste the Kerry and Armagh teams from the 2002 all ireland final. It would be interesting to see the turnover of players 5 years on
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bigmac
Junior Member
Posts: 87
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Post by bigmac on May 8, 2007 18:32:00 GMT
KERRY D O'Keeffe; M Ó Sé, S Moynihan, M McCarthy; T Ó Sé, E Fitzmaurice, J Sheehan; D Ó Sé, D Daly; S O'Sullivan, E Brosnan, L Hassett; MF Russell, D Ó Cinnéide, C Cooper. Subs: A MacGearailt for O'Sullivan (48), T O'Sullivan for M Ó Sé (57), J Crowley for Hassett (63), B O'Shea for Daly (72). Booked: T Ó Sé (55), L Hassett (62). ARMAGH B Tierney; E McNulty, J McNulty, F Bellew; A O'Rourke, K McGeeney, A McCann; J Toal, P McGrane; P McKeever, J McEntee, O McConville; S McDonnell, R Clarke, D Marsden. Subs: B O'Hagan for J McEntee (24), T McEntee for McKeever (44). Booked: E McNulty (30), A O'Rourke (37), P McGrane (47). Attendance: 79,500 ur wish is my command
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Post by mickmack on May 8, 2007 19:46:04 GMT
11 of the 19 Kerry players have moved on.
How many of the Armagh players have moved on
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Post by mrtierneyesq on May 11, 2007 19:25:07 GMT
How many of the Kerry players had moved on from 78 to 86?
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Post by mickmack on May 11, 2007 21:12:22 GMT
Off the top of my head........... John o Keeffe, Tim Kennelly, Paud Lynch, John Egan went in 1985.
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Post by kerrygold on May 11, 2007 21:50:27 GMT
egan went in '84,taken off for dowd,left the ground before the finish and never appeared in a kerry jersey again.
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Post by kerrygold on May 11, 2007 21:53:56 GMT
pat mc carthy,brendan lynch,paidi lynch,ger o keeffe,john o keeffe,jimmy dennihan,tim kennelly,mick ned,john egan,
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