McGinley close returning to Red Hand ranks
Sunday, 14 May 2006 13:25Double All-Ireland winner Enda McGinley has given Tyrone a massive boost by making his comeback several weeks ahead of schedule.
McGinley played his first game since last October when he lined out for his club Errigal Ciaran in a league game at the weekend.
Playing at left half forward, he made a goal-scoring return, hitting his side's third in the 3-9 to 1-11 win over Kildress.
And he completed the full 60 minutes, making a significant breakthrough in his recovery from cruciate and medial ligament injuries.
McGinley could now be in line for an appearance in Tyrone's Ulster Championship opener against Derry on May 28.
But his level of match fitness means a starting spot will almost certainly be beyond him.
His last appearance in the Red Hand colours was in last September's All-Ireland final, but it now appears certain that he will feature sooner rather than later in this year's championship.
And he could provide manager Mickey Harte with a replacement for playmaker Brian McGuigan, ruled out for the season with a broken leg.
The 25-year-old utility man has played in defence, midfield and attack for Tyrone, and could be the answer to the void left at centre forward by McGuigan's absence.
A physiotherapist by profession, McGinley has managed his recovery and rehabilitation with meticulous application and attention to detail, not for the first time in his injury-ravaged career.
He suffered a serious neck injury in the 2003 All-Ireland final win over Armagh, which threatened to bring his playing days to an end.
But he fought his way back to full fitness and played a key role in Tyrone's second All-Ireland triumph in three years with last year's victory over Kerry.
