James McCarthy departed the action shortly before half-time in the Allianz Football League Division One final against Galway earlier this month. At the time, it looked like another possible woe on top of some mounting injuries and absences for Jim Gavin.
Cian O'Sullivan picked up a shoulder injury against Kerry last month, he's likely to be out until mid-July after undergoing surgery. Bernard Brogan suffered a knee injury during training early in the league and is doubtful to return before the end of the championship. Jack McCaffrey's All-Ireland final knee injury will see him return in the latter stages of the summer, at best.
That's all on top of Diarmuid Connolly's 'rest' period which will see the St. Vincent's player unavailable for an unknown period of time.
The good news: James McCarthy's injury is only a minor concern.
"It was a light strain, a bit of tightness. I'll be training this week," McCarthy told Balls at the launch of the 2018 Cúl Heroes collection at Croke Park on Thursday.
McCarthy hopes to be involved this weekend when his club, Ballymun Kickhams, take on St. Brigid's in the opening game of the Dublin SFC at Parnell Park on Saturday.
"I'll be touch and go, but hopefully it should be okay, the hammer," said McCarthy.
This year's Dublin SFC will be run using a new system. Its early stages will be played out over a round robin format.
Ballymun have found themselves in a tough group with 2016 finalists Castleknock, Clontarf and St. Brigid's.
Two rounds of the championship will be played during April, the GAA's designated 'club-only' month. Dublin players are solely with their clubs for the month and are not expected to return to Dublin training until May.
Cúl Heroes, the official trading cards of the GAA/GPA, launched their 2018 collection at Croke Park with brand ambassadors James McCarthy and Padraic Mannion as well as Noelle Healy and Gemma O’Connor. Cúl Heroes is entering its fourth year on the market and aims to continue its promotion of Gaelic Games, the players and the unique skills of our national sport. In attendance at the launch is Dublin footballer James McCarthy at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
