Conor Clifford set for spell on the sideline as Limerick injury woes get worse

Limerick midfielder Conor Clifford will miss up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage as Limerick's injury crisis deepens.

Former Ireland under-21 international Clifford, who only joined in mid-April, limped off early last Friday at Oriel Park – the ground on which he played his football last season.

The Blues also lost Barry Maguire during that opening period as they eventually succumbed to a 4-0 defeat to the league's form side.

“Conor is getting a scan today,” manager Tommy Barrett told the club's website during the week.

“It looks like it’s ligament damage – we’re hoping it’s not a fracture or break. With ligaments, with depending how poor they are, it will be 4-6 weeks.”

Barrett is already missing both Billy and Darren Dennehy, Shaun Kelly, Danny Morrissey and Connor Ellis with injuries of varying severity.

The midseason break comes at the right time for the Blues, who face Shamrock Rovers at Markets Field tonight before they're given a week off.

“The midseason break is great for us, considering we have 6-7 lads out that would normally be definitely in contention for starting. We have had a really difficult time with injuries.

“A lot of them have been muscle injuries, but a lot of unlucky injuries as well with ankle ligaments, broken hands and knocks.”