TEEN TIGER’S SEASON OVER
Edge Hill United midfielder faces stint on sideline after ugly challenge
TALENTED Edge Hill United teen Ben McDonnell’s season is all but over after he suffered a suspected broken leg in a mistimed challenge from Leichhardt’s Josh Mulla in their enthralling FNQ Premier League draw.
Early in the second half of the Premier League rivals’ 2-2 draw on Saturday, McDonnell and Mulla sped towards a ball placed just in front of the Edge Hill United midfielder.
McDonnell, 18, got to the ball first, booting it away, though Mulla had already committed, swinging his foot and catching McDonnell flush on his right leg.
It bent the wrong way, with the teenager falling to a heap immediately.
Edge Hill United players consoled the youngster during a lengthy delay, which ended with McDonnell being removed from the field by a stretcher, which was carried by Leichhardt president Jessy Mulla and McDonnell’s younger brother, Joseph.
Tigers player-coach Crios O’Hare was metres from the incident as it unfolded, and knew straight away McDonnell, who has become his “protege”, was in serious trouble.
The draw, only the second time in almost two years Edge Hill United hasn’t won, was
the least important thing in his mind during a post-game interview.
“He’s a massive loss for us, he’s been among our best all season,” O’Hare said.
“He just keeps getting better and better, he works really hard – he’s a great kid, everybody loves him.
“It’s a flat feeling right now. I took him under my wing … I feel sick just thinking about (the challenge).”
O’Hare was disappointed in the challenge, but did not want to comment further.
Edge Hill United players and officials are understood to be furious with the challenge, which has sidelined one of their more underrated
and solid players.
Mulla was shown his second yellow card for his involvement and played no further part in the game, which ended in dramatic circumstances as Leichhardt goalkeeper Joshua Wilson scored an unlikely goal deep into added time.
Wilson had only just returned to the field of play after being sin binned for dissent, and spent those final three minutes at striker.
McDonnell is among the leading teenage talents in the FNQ Premier League.
First promoted to Edge Hill United’s senior team in 2019, McDonnell ousted more experienced players to
become a regular fixture in the Tigers’ starting side.
His senior debut coincided with the start of Edge Hill United’s incredible run of success, during which the Tigers enjoyed a 30-game winning run.
He scored eight Premier League goals this season, as well as several crucial strikes in the FFA Cup, including a goal in Edge Hill United’s historic win against Magpies Crusaders United.
There is no immediate replacement for McDonnell, who would have been an integral member of O’Hare’s side for the upcoming FFA Cup Round of 32 clash with Gold Coast Knights.