Tyrone have received a boost with the news that ace playmaker Brian McGuigan could be back in action much sooner than anticipated.
The Ardboe man underwent surgery in a serious eye injury last Friday, and has been given an extremely positive prognosis by consultants at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
Now it’s hoped that he could be back playing in six to eight weeks.
Initially, it was feared that McGuigan would be out for the rest of the season, after picking up the injury during a club game.
He had been playing for Ardboe reserves in a bid to accelerate his rehabilitation from a broken leg sustained more than a year ago.
The double All-Ireland winner and former Allstar had already suffered a setback in his recovery from the injury, and had to have an operation to rectify a related ankle problem.
He has not played for Tyrone since the 2005 All-Ireland final, in which he played a starring role in the victory over Kerry.
He has no prospect of playing in the Ulster semi-final against either Donegal or Derry on June 17, but there are genuine hopes that, should the Red Hands progress, he could feature in the provincial final on July 15.
Tyrone’s injury crisis is showing further signs of easing. Stephen O’Neill expects to be fit for the semi-final after missing last weekend’s win over Fermanagh with a hamstring injury.
And Gerard Cavlan, Owen Mulligan and Enda McGinley, all unable to start due to injury, were introduced as subs and came through without any problems.
McGuigan’s return could give manager Mickey Harte welcome selection problems.
His younger brother Tommy was handed the famous number 11 jersey for last Sunday’s clash with Fermanagh, and made a sensational debut, scoring three superb points from play.
