Kelly playing through pain barrier
June 27, 2009
Tipperary sharpshooter Eoin Kelly admits that he still isn't 100 per cent fit due to a long-standing back problem.
The Mullinahone clubman missed the entire National League, and though he returned for the championship wins over Cork and Clare, he admits he is playing through the pain barrier as Tipp go in search of provincial and All-Ireland honours.
"It's a bulging disk - a prolapsed disk - which presses on the nerve. I'm still not out of the woods as of yet, I'm getting physio the whole time," he explained.
"It's an injury that curtails you a small bit but at this stage, so far into the season, it's nearly a mind over matter thing. I'd be hopeful it will be right for games.
"The more I enquire about it, it seems to be a common injury with a lot of sports guys, in the field of rugby especially, but it's creeping in a bit into the GAA. It's something I've researched a bit."
While surgery would rectify the problem, Kelly said he wouldn't be considering that option until the inter-county and club season is over.
"That's what I'm trying to avoid the whole time but if the thing doesn't come right, you're putting off the inevitable. Hopefully I'm not, but when the season is over with the club we'll sit down and have a serious look at it. There can be complications down the road in five or six years time, that's what I've taken from research I've done," he added.
"But with this injury you're eating painkillers. It's a common injury but you have to be careful, that's the thing. I've been going through all the medical channels. Our physio is great, John Casey, and the advice of most guys has been to stay away from the surgery. It's the complications I'd be concerned about because I'm only 27. I'd probably be a bit young, that's the way I'm thinking.
"I'll have a good look at it at the end of the season. What I ideally need is three or four months complete rest, that might bring it back a bit again. But what I'm fully focused on now is getting through the season. We're in a Munster final now so obviously we're gunning to win it. If we did win it you'd have a Munster medal in your pocket, back injury or no back injury."
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