Seamus Sharkey to miss Isle of Man duty due to Sligo injury crisis

Sligo Rovers defender Seamus Sharkey is likely to pull out of the Isle of Man squad to compete at next month's CONIFA World Cup in England due to the Bit o' Red's injury crisis.

Sharkey had been due to join up with his Ellan Vannin colleagues next week to compete at the competition, which features states and nations not represented by FIFA members.

The 28-year-old debuted for his island of birth in 2016 and was looking forward to competing at his first international competition for the Manx outfit.

However, with Calum Waters returning to parents club Kilmarnock, John Mahon suspended and both Regan Donelon and Gary Boylan injury doubts, Sharkey will likely be pressed into club action. 

"I'm gutted because the boys in the Isle of Man have been asking me every day if I'm coming,” Sharkey told the SSE Aitricity League website.

"They've made contact with Sligo and they've told the Isle of Man that it depends on Paddy's [McClean] injury but now that we have a few more injuries and with John missing Derry it doesn't look like I'll go.

“I'm signed with Sligo and they pay my wages so I have to respect that. I know next year I'll have another chance because there's another championship coming up that I can be involved with.

“I'm disappointed but I'm a Sligo Rovers player and with the injury list we have, I'm going to get my chance to play. I can't turn that down."