Kevin Downes put his injury nightmare behind him to strike a telling blow for Na Piarsaigh on Sunday.

The Treaty County hurler has endured an injury-disrupted season and was listed at No.24 for the county SHC final against Patrickswell. He was added to the starting XV minutes prior to throw-in and bagged 1-5 as a thrilling 1-22 to 4-12 victory was secured.

"My year has been frustrating in many ways. I picked up a serious knee injury at the start of the year and I missed a lot of pre-season and I missed a lot of the campaign with Limerick.I was unable to start in the Kilmallock game after I picked up a hamstring injury," he told The Irish Examiner.

"It had been niggling at me for the last few games. I've missed out for the most of the last two months. I was doing what I could with the team but a lot of it was on my own. It was touch and go whether I would make it or not for today. I didn't really train all week. But thankfully it all held up.

"I must give special mention to David Breen, Paul Murray and Darragh Droog for getting me back. I was doing plenty of work with Darragh [strength and conditioning coach] but I couldn't run. But those are the ups and downs of sport. I am just delighted to be part of it."

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