GAA:Manager Brian Cody heaped praise on Henry Shefflin after the Kilkenny legend played a starring role in his return from injury during last night's Leinster SHC semi-final win over Wexford.
Shefflin has been out of action for the best part of nine months with a cruciate injury. However on last night’s performance, where he notched up a personal tally of 0-09 in the convincing 1-26 to 1-15 win, he looked as though he has never been away.
“A few months ago people were wondering if he would ever be able to get back,” said Cody in an interview with RTE radio after the match. “It’s a tribute to his commitment and never say die attitude. All the lonely hours working away on his own.
“You can see the fitness levels he has straight away; it’s testament to the kind of man he is. It really is a tremendous achievement to come back from two cruciate injuries like that and get out here and play as if he had never been away.
Shefflin himself was only too glad to be back in the thick of things and part of championship hurling again.
“It’s been tough going, nine months I suppose,” said Shefflin, who always remained positive. “Since last September it’s been operations, walking on crutches etc - been a long slow process.
“Look there is always light at the end of the tunnel and I’m delighted that I’ve seen the tunnel. Just delighted to be back involved and there’s a great buzz in playing championship hurling.
“Lovely Saturday evening with a big crowd, that’s what we all strive to play in, great to be involved,” added Shefflin after a typical stellar performance in front of 30,000 spectators at Wexford Park.
Cody and Shefflin were asked if they National League final defeat had any impact and if the current crop of Kilkenny players were past their best. Both suggestion were denied
“I don’t think the lads are too conscious of that at all,” added Shefflin in reference to the final defeat to Dublin and suggestions of being over the hill. “I think they were very disappointed with their performances after the league final defeat. Think the talk started from that.
“The lads would be the first to admit they probably didn’t play that well (in the final). But look, all we can do is look forward to the championship, can’t worry about what happened in the past, have to look forward. It’s just great to come down here and get the victory and great to involved in another Leinster final.”
Cody was equally upbeat regarding the league final defeat and said it was business as usual.
“The league defeat didn’t have any impact on us and our preparations. We’ve won leagues before and just went on and prepared for the championship,” he said. “And again we prepared as normal. At end of the day what happened, happened. Sure, we’d be foolish to close our eyes to it, but you take it on board and you assess it.
“From the point of view of confidence it had no impact on us whatsoever.”
For now Kilkenny can begin preparing to take on Galway or Dublin in the Leinster SHC final on July 3rd.