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Broken leg ends Dunbeholden’s Fabian McCarthy season
April 04, 2023
When Fabian McCarthy was stretchered off in the 69th minute of Dunbeholden's Jamaica Premier League (JPL) game against Waterhouse last weekend, it was not suspected the midfielder had picked up a season-ending injury.
McCarthy, who has been capped 13 times by the national team, went in for a sliding challenge on Shaquille Bradford when his foot got stuck in the ground under his body, with television replays showing a nasty twist of the left ankle, which appeared to snap under the pressure of his body.
Not even the medical team recognised the magnitude of the injury initially, but McCarthy knew something was not right, and his fears were eventually confirmed after he was later diagnosed with a broken fibula.
Although a main cog in Dunbeholden's machinery, the 33-year-old believes it is an opportunity for young players to step up and grab the spotlight.
"Yes, I am one of the best midfielders in the country, but we have a few youngsters in the team that we are trying to show the ropes. So now is the time that they need to show what I have taught them and showcase their talent," he said.
"When I was in, the youngsters had to start on the bench, but now that I am out, it is for them to show themselves to Jamaica and be one of the best midfielders. One day I will stop playing because age is coming for all of us. So now is their time to showcase themselves," he told STAR Sports.
He revealed that when the incident occurred, immediately he believed something bad had happened, although the medical team thought he was okay as his toe was moving.
"I said yes, my toe is moving, so it cannot be that major but when I moved my foot, I felt it out of place, so that's when I knew it was broken. It is not the major bone, the tibia, it is fibula that's broken. So I have to give thanks," McCarthy said.
McCarthy will have a better idea of his duration on the sidelines later this week when he returns to the doctor.
"After that, I will know what number (period) we are working with," he continued.
Although it may be possible to return before the end of the season, he will ignore that and take his time to heal properly.
"Even if there is a possibility, I wouldn't want to push for it. So I am just calling it a season. There is the CFU (Caribbean Football Union) coming up, so we have bigger fish to fry. I will just be patient and go through the process," he said.
