Dublin star Paul Mannion is “running out of time” as Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland club final draws nearer, says his Kilmacud Crokes captain Shane Cunningham.
Mannion has not played since the Dublin quarter-final win over Cuala last September, a game in which he sustained an ankle injury that subsequently required surgery.
He has resumed some training of late but Cunningham suggested that he is likely to sit out the decider against Derry champions Glen, having also missed last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kilcoo with a knee injury.
Cunningham said: “I'd love if Paul was playing. He's running out of time is the honest answer. The injury he got, on the night against Cuala, we didn't think it was that serious, then he went for the x-ray and it turned out to be quite a serious injury.
“We're doing absolutely everything we can to get him fit and he'll be given up to the last minute to prove his fitness. If he can play, even if he can play a small part, we'd be delighted but he's running out of time at the minute.”
Cunningham added that Mannion, who is returning to the Dublin panel this year having sat out the last two seasons, has yet to take a full part in training.
“No, he hasn't trained fully. He has been doing bits and bobs but in terms of playing a full match, or a full training, he hasn't taken part in anything like that so far.
"He has put an awful lot of hard work into his rehab. I don't think going in with Dublin is going to affect his mindset and whether he'll risk playing on Sunday at all, to be honest.”
READ NEXT:
Paudie Clifford's speech labelled 'horrible' and 'embarrassing' but not everyone agrees
Davy Russell partners first winner since returning to action
Youth World Cup winner and former Chelsea player on trial with Shamrock Rovers
New JP McManus purchase made favourite for Cheltenham race after win
Punter cashes out small stake bet for €32,000 but could have won €135,000
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
