By Niall McCoy
INNISKEEN have been hit by a major blow with the news that key attacker Sean Jones could miss the rest of the season through injury.
The youngster, who was part of the Oriel senior panel this year and started the first National League game against Armagh, was carrying a hamstring injury into the recent Ulster U-20 final against Down.
Despite that, he still delivered a virtuoso display as he kicked eight points, five from play, even though he was clearly in discomfort as the game progressed. The result is a period on the sidelines as he recovers.
It’s a massive blow for Grattan’s boss Oisin McConville who saw his side placed along with county champions Scotstown, Magheracloone, Truagh and Carrickmacross in Group One of this year’s Senior Championship following Tuesday’s draw. Their campaign begins with a trip to Carrick on the weekend of August 29.
Group Two will see Castleblayney, Clontibret, Ballybay, Latton and 2020 Intermediate champions Monaghan Harps face off.
The Crossmaglen legend has other worries to contend with as he has watched his side make a sluggish start to the season as they have suffered league defeats at the hands of Magheracloone, Carrickmacross and, most recently, Scotstown in what will be a worrying period.
It’s a far cry from last year’s form when they took the championship by storm and just missed out on a first final appearance in 30 years following a thrilling extra-time loss to Ballybay in the semi-final.
They appear to have early-season issues at both ends of the pitch with tallies of 0-14, 0-9 and 1-12 hardly inspiring confidence in their attacking ability.
Their concession average also stands at just over 22 points per game – far too high – with Carrick rattling in four goals against them at Grattan Park.
Last weekend Scotstown chalked up 0-18 against them despite the absence of Conor McCarthy and Darren Hughes.
Given that Magheracloone, Carrick and Scotstown are all in their championship group, rapid progress will be required. They will be hoping that comes this evening as they host the one team in their league group that isn’t in their championship group, Ballybay, at 8pm.
In the Intermediate Championship draw, last year’s losing finalists Cremartin were placed in a difficult looking Group One alongside Blackhill, Doohamlet, Corduff and Tyholland.
Group Two doesn’t look much easier with Donaghmoyne, a senior side in 2020, Aughnamullen, Emyvale, Eire Og and Killanny set to face off over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Group One in the Junior Championship contains Rockcorry, Drumhowan, Clones, Aghabog and Sean McDermott’s with some tasty fixtures coming up.
Group Two will feature matches between Scotstown, Oram, Currin, Toome and Killeevan.
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