Loughgiel manager PJ O'Mullan is in chronic pain due to a horrific ankle problem.

O'Mullan has just led the Antrim standard bearers to a fourth straight Ulster senior club hurling title and will lead them into All-Ireland semi-final battle against Mount Leinster Rangers of Carlow on February 8th.

He is delaying surgery until after the All-Ireland campaign but admits to being in tremendous pain most days:

"There were a lot of tears over December and January there, I was in that much pain," he told The Belfast Telegraph.

"Tears trickling down your cheeks to be honest, a lot of sleepless nights. The boys always try to cheer you up and send you messages, so I have good support from them, from the wife and my mother and father.

"I had been off work in October time when it flared up badly. I am off again this week, was at work on Tuesday and I had to go home.

"It's excruciating pain. I try to get training organised as best I can and for a lot of December I couldn't make it due to the fact that I am laid up.

"I need a total reconstruction of my right ankle and it entails twelve weeks lying on your back once it's done. Then there's another two months of rehabilitation, learning to walk again." Tweet

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