Kilmacud Crokes manager Robbie Brennan says Paul Mannion will not be available for the All-Ireland club football final against Kilcoo. However, he is still playing a part for the Dublin champions.
Mannion picked up a knee injury during the Leinster semi-final win against Portarlington. He subsequently underwent surgery on the injury. He missed the Leinster final against Naas, and Saturday's semi-final win against Pádraig Pearses.
"I think we’ve a flight to Knock now and see can we get him to Lourdes and see can we do anything with him!” Brennan told TG4 about Mannion after the win against Roscommon champions Pearses.
"No he’s not going to be back. I’d say it’ll be probably April before Paul’s back. We’ve known that for a couple of weeks, so we’ve just been planning without him.
"We’ve asked them all to step up. I suppose having Paul is like similar to having a bit of a comfort blanket or something. When he’s there, you’re always waiting for something to happen. When that’s snatched away and you don’t have him, everybody just has to realise that and step up, and thankfully again some guys did it off the bench and throughout the 60 minutes today."
Bainisteoir Robbie Brennan ag caint le TG4 tar éis an chluiche 👇
'I suppose having Paul is similar to having a bit of a comfort blanket'. @KCrokesCoaching |@GAA_BEO
#GAABEO |#TheToughest pic.twitter.com/haV6S0B4sj— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 29, 2022
Crokes won the semi-final against Pearses 1-11 to 0-8 with Dublin All-Ireland winners Rory O'Carroll and Craig Dias playing major parts. O'Carroll was named Man of the Match while Dias, a powerhouse in midfield, scored Crokes' goal.
"Rory coming home and back to the club has been massive for us, and not with Dublin, he’s around all the time," said Brennan.
"Craig the same, not being with Dublin has been a big benefit to us. They’re huge leaders around the group and having Manno (Paul Mannion) on the sideline with us there, helping with a bit of info every now and again, so it adds to the group hugely."
Featured image: 29 January 2022; Injured Kilmacud Crokes' player Paul Mannion celebrates after the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Final match between Pádraig Pearses, Roscommon, and Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin, at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
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