CALUM BIRNEY FACES DATE WITH DESTINY c584g

On Friday 13th September 2024 Calum Birney faces an important injury re-assessment. The 31-year-old has not played since the 3-2 home victory against Newry City in early April. A knee injury sustained in that match required surgery in June. Now he is waiting, hoping to receive the green light to resume his career. 2y3a7

“I irritated my right knee in March,” he explained “Any twisting or turning was leading to swelling and pain. I went in for a block tackle in the Newry match, didn’t come out of it well and eventually had to go off.”

A scan subsequently revealed a tear in the cartilage which led to surgery.

“The operation seemed to go well,” he explained. “I saw the consultant again after six weeks, but I wasn’t making as much progress as I had hoped to. I was able to run and there was some swelling which was not a bigconcern. But I still didn’t feel 100%. The consultant advised me to avoid the treill and concentrate on strength work. He hopes that it will settle. If it doesn’t, he will look at other options. Apparently, repeating the operation is not one of those.”

For Birney, who has a history of groin problems, it is particularly frustrating since this is his first serious knee injury. “I have never had a setback like this,” he added. “This has been a dark period. I hate not being able to train properly or play. But I am trying to be positive and do what the consultant has told me to do.”

Calum praised both Stephen McDonnell and Glenavon for the he has received. “Stevie and the club have both been superb,” he added. “They have done their best to keep me involved and have given me all the help I have asked for. Now it is a matter of hoping for an improvement and positive news in September.”