Sweeney out for the season

The Waterside man broke three ribs and punctured his lung after challenging Ballyclare Comrades keeper Paddy Flood, during Saturday's match at Drumahoe and is definitely out of action until after the new year.

After receiving treatment on the pitch, the centre-forward was stretchered off before leaving the Riverside Stadium in an ambulance and despite signing himself out on Saturday night, the Gobnascale man has been back in Altnagelvin Hospital since Sunday and isn't expected to be released until later in the week.

"I knew straight away that I was in bother, I could here my ribs breaking and it was hard to breathe," he said.

"The ball was there to be won and I had a chance to score so there was no way I was going to pull out of it.

"Ten years ago I broke a few ribs and punctured my kidney while playing for Limavady United, so I know all about it."

The 29-year-old, talking from his sick bed on Monday, is gutted that this season continues to be start stop for him.

"I left Derry City because I wanted to just play football, that meant I had to drop down a level and now I get wrecked, I'm not having any luck," he added.

"It's going to be tough for me to get back into shape again after I get back on my feet, although I was feeling fit I was starting to get my match fitness back, so it's going to be hard now and I'm virtually starting all over again.

"I'm also worried about my work as I'm self employed titler but at the minute I'm only looking at getting back on my feet."

For boss John Gregg he's gutted that his summer signing joins fellow experienced man Thomas Wray on the treatment table.

"Vinny was in a bad way, he couldn't breathe or lie on the stretcher properly and I don't expect him to be back until well into the new year, in fact depending on the doctor's report he maybe out for the rest of the season," concluded the 'Stute gaffer.