Mike Finnerty
THE sporting career of 29 year old Crossmolina footballer Michael Moyles looks almost certain to be over because of a serious back injury.
The former Mayo panellist has been advised to stop playing contact sports by doctors and medical specialists in Ireland, the UK and the US after an MRI scan earlier this year showed a bone in his back had moved dangerously close to his spinal cord.
Moyles has been told by a number of specialists that if he continues to play Gaelic football – or any contact sport – another heavy blow to his back could leave him paralysed.
“Getting the news was obviously very upsetting but you just have to remember that there’s more to life,” he told The Mayo News last week.
“If I’d found out later and kept playing on there was a chance I’d end up in a wheelchair.
“As far as the doctors and specialists are concerned, if I was in contact again there’s a chance that a bone in my back could sever my spinal cord.”
The injury is believed to be the result of a number of heavy blows that the midfielder cum wing-forward sustained during recent years with Crossmolina, IT Sligo and Mayo.
“Looking back on it, two or three belts stand out,” admitted Moyles. “A couple of years ago I was stretchered off after getting a bang between the shoulder blades against Knockmore. Then there was a car crash I was involved in on the way to Mayo training a couple of years ago, and I also got a bad knock in last year’s county final. But it’s a result of years of knocks really.”
