Former Monaghan star has hip replacement at 40

Monaghan's Dick Clerkin celebrates at the final whistle of the 2013 Ulster SFC semi-final victory over Cavan at St Tiernach's Park, Clones.
©INPHO/Donall Farmer.

Dick Clerkin has been wished a speedy recovery after having a hip replacement at the age of just 40.

The former Monaghan midfielder played at the highest level for 17 years, winning two Ulster SFC medals and two Allianz League Division 2 medals, before retiring in 2016. He also played for his club Currin for over 20 years. However, the wear and tear of all those years has necessitated him having to get a new hip much sooner than he would have liked.

"First morning after my Hip Replacement Operation yesterday. Albeit inevitable after what I pushed body through in my final years, still a tough pill to swallow. Onwards now and looking forward to life on the coaching sidelines and the fairways of Ireland!" he tweeted from his hospital bed yesterday.

First morning after my Hip Replacement Operation yesterday 🔪 🏥 🦵
Albeit inevitable after what I pushed body through in my final years, still a tough pill to swallow.
Onwards now and looking forward to life on the 🏐 coaching sidelines and the ⛳️ fairways of Ireland! pic.twitter.com/cpLDaPFTmH

— D Clerkin (@clerkin_d) January 17, 2023