McConigley fails to recover sight in one eye

November 13, 2007

Donegals Paddy McConigley
Donegal defender Paddy McConigley has been told by doctors that he will not regain the sight in his right eye which he lost during a team bonding exercise with his county teammates. The Fanad Gaels clubman suffered the freak injury during a paintballing trip with the Donegal panel during the summer and was absent as they went out of the championship to Monaghan. It was hoped that McConigley, who made the wing back spot his own after returning from the UK at the end of last year, would regain vision in his eye but the medical advice he has been given has ruled out that possibility. Employed in the construction industry, McConigley has been out of work since the accident, due to the fear that he might sustain damage to his good eye. He is unlikely to return to intercounty fare although he has made some substitute appearances for his club in recent weeks. "It's difficult playing without the use of your right eye but you have to get on with it and for me to get back out on the football field is good for me, for my own reasons," said McConigley. "It is more difficult but I have to get on with it. I've no choice in the matter."

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