IRELAND CAPTAIN DAVID Harte’s emotional rollercoaster of a week has concluded with the best possible news, after he was told he will now be fit to play in the forthcoming Hockey World Cup.
It was initially feared the Cork native suffered a fractured fibula during the warm-up for last Saturday’s four-nations game against Netherlands, but a second scan has shown the damage is not as bad as first feared.
Facing the prospect of being sidelined for six weeks and thereby missing Ireland’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years later this month, Harte sought a second opinion in Netherlands, where he is based, and received the all-clear on Thursday.
The diagnosis is a bad bone bruise while a contusion on the point of impact with the ball has left him sore, but significantly there is no break and Harte is expected to travel to India with Alexander Cox’s squad as expected.
“The sweetest two words I’ve heard in years; no break,” he told The42.
The 30-year-old will now begin a short recovery period ahead of Ireland’s first World Cup game against Australia on 30 November, before further group games against China and England on 4 and 7 December.
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He wins the gold and he automatically becomes one of the greatest swimmers in history, double world & double Olympic champion with more to come. Along with Paul odonavan that’s 2 athletes in the highest possible echelon. I dunno if Ireland has produced athletes of that calibre in any sport ever before
@munsterman: agree, these guys are world beaters. But would have to throw Roche and Kelly into that where they were top of a very tough sport for so long.
@Kevin Dillon: yea good call that
@munsterman: bet ya ridge ray wont be happy
@Square: You sure are more than a few degrees off Square!!
@Ray Ridge: thanks Ridge ray
@Square: Its always a pleasure!
Love his confidence not like conor mcnugget do very nice guy we all are proud
Well done Daniel, brilliant time, we are so proud of you!! Good luck tomorrow evening in the final!!!
They pointed it out on commentary but he literally didn’t use his legs at all to set that time in heats. ( I don’t use mine swimming as I’ve God awful technique and a decent 8yr old would beat me) But try swimming a couple of lengths using only arms and it shows the unbelievable cardio and power this guy has. Cruised the last 200meters. Think we need to start a petition to add 1000m 1200m and 1800m to the games and this guy would have a fair shot at the lot
Ray ridges says he’s northern Irish lol
@Gary Galligan: he is lol
@Gary Galligan: Well, Armagh is in Northern Ireland, so I guess Ray Ridge would be right again!!
@Ray Ridge: again?
Is he alongside Michael phelps.. genuine question??
@Gary Galligan: wouldent think so but he is a superstar
@Gary Galligan: Nope, Phelps has 23 Olympic Gold medals, 26 World Championships.. plus other silvers, bronzes.
But exceptional for Wiffen to win an Olympic Gold.