CORK CITY CAPTAIN John Dunleavy has been ruled out of action for at least four months.
Dunleavy was stretchered off in the 19th minute of last Friday’s top-of-the-table Premier Division clash with Dundalk at Turner’s Cross.
A Cork City spokesman confirmed to The42 this afternoon that the versatile Donegal man sustained a meniscal knee injury and will undergo surgery in the coming days. The anticipated rehabilitation time is expected to be in the region of four months.
“It is obviously extremely disappointing for Johnny and for us to lose him for the next few months. He is in very good hands with the medical team at the club and we all wish him a speedy recovery,” said Cork City manager John Caulfield.
Dunleavy joined Cork City in January 2012 after spells in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Barnet.
The 23-year-old defender can slot in anywhere across the back-four but has also been deployed in a defensive midfield role this season.
Fantastic player, huge loss for City.
Bad news for Cork but they have strength in depth to over come this.
If everyone is available maybe, but there’ll always be one out of the fullbacks, Miller or Healy out and the cover for each of those was Dunleavy. To replace him will probably necessitate signing at least two players.
The team would be severely weakened now also if the opportunity arose to sell Kavanagh to an English club.
Wish him well with the recovery.
Excellent player and ambassador for Cork City and the league of Ireland.Im sure he will come back fitter and stronger than ever.
As Cork City fans we can remember where we were just a few short years ago and not be too disheartened about strength in depth