Rogers rated 'doubtful' for All-Ireland final

Down forward Danny Hughes has admitted that the Mourne County’s captain, Ambrose Rogers, is unlikely to feature in the GAA Football All-Ireland final because of a knee injury.

Rogers missed the All-Ireland semi-final win over Kildare after damaging his knee while on Club duty with Longstone.

Peter Fitzpatrick lined out at midfield in his absence in the narrow win over the Lilywhites and Rogers now faces a real struggle to play any part in the decider against Cork on September 19.

“Ambrose is obviously doing bits and pieces. I suppose it’s too early to tell at the minute. We saw on Sunday, I suppose Shefflin was in the same kind of boat. It’s hard to know to be honest,” said team-mate Hughes, who was speaking at Ulster Bank's Headquarters in Dublin ahead of the GAA Football All-Ireland final. 

“It will be down to the player himself and see how that pans out for him over the next couple of weeks.

“He’s doing a wee bit bike work in the gym and that but it’s nothing major.

“I would be doubtful whether he can come through. I don’t know, it will really depend on how he gets through the next couple of weeks.”

Although Hughes conceded it would be a massive blow to lose Rogers, the wing-forward said it was heartening to see Fitzpatrick fill in so capably against Kildare.

“You don’t want to be losing your captain and a player like Ambrose. But in fairness to Peter Fitzpatrick he did come in and did very well. We were all delighted for Peter because he has been doing that in training week in and week out so it was great to see him lift his game for Kildare.

“It’s devastating for Ambrose, especially with everything he has gone through and what he has come back from. But he same guy, knowing Ambrose, he is an extremely positive fella and he’ll get back there’s no doubt about that.”

Ulster Bank stars Danny Hughes, Down, and Colm O’Neill, Cork, were in George’s Quay, Dublin, as the colleagues prepare to meet in the upcoming GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final in Croke Park. The talented duo met the four lucky GAA fans who have been selected by Ulster Bank, official sponsor of the GAA Football All-Ireland, to perform a guard of honour on the pitch in front of a full-house in Croke Park for the eagerly awaited clash between Down and Cork.