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Gumley hoping to be fit for AIB Club Football Final

Paddy Gumley

Paddy Gumley

By John Harrington

Nemo Rangers full-forward Paddy Gumley is hopeful he’ll have recovered from a calf muscle pull in time for the AIB All-Ireland Club SFC Final against Corofin on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Cavan native aggravated the injury in the semi-final victory over Slaughtneil and was forced off after 21 minutes.

He believes he’ll be fit to start against Corofin, but won’t put his hand up for selection unless he’s 100 per cent confident he can perform at full-throttle.

“I'm very, very hopeful to be honest,” Gumley told GAA.ie today. “I'd be surprised if I don't do something. Every day is important and I still have 10-odd days so anything can happen.

“But, at the same time, you have to be considerate of the team too. You're not going to bluff in an All-Ireland Final. Possibly in other games you could stay inside and only do what you have to do.

“But the way the game is gone and such high intensity it's impossible to a call a bluff on it."

Dr. Crokes v Nemo Rangers - AIB Munster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final

Dr. Crokes v Nemo Rangers - AIB Munster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final

Gumley first sustained the injury in training before the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Slaughtneil, and admits it’s a concern that calf injuries can be tricky to rehabilitate in a short space of time.

“I just felt a little pop in it and then felt I was okay to go on the Saturday of the Slaughtneil game but it wasn’t holding up too well so that was it.

“I've been with the physio quite a bit since. So, I'm hoping, fingers crossed, now. I've never had much trouble calves but seemingly it's a pretty fickle thing.

“It's a thing where you think you're right and then a jog could possible pop it again. I'll probably be waiting until the last minute.

“The lads were training last night and I'd hope to get jogging come the weekend. If you go out and do anything to it then that's it, good luck. Whereas if you can give it every possible chance...

“You look at the other end of it too with fitness. It's not as if you're going into your average game. But the hard work's done too so I shouldn't be too bad in that case either.”