Return to action goes well for Midleton's Eoin Moloney following eight-month lay-off

Eoin Moloney’s performances in the Midleton defence during last year’s Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC meant that he was an automatic selection for the Reardens Team of The Year.

What underlines the levels shown is the fact that he missed the defeat to Sarsfields in the final – late in extra-time semi-final win over Blackrock, Moloney sustained a ruptured Achilles. It meant an eight-month period of rehabilitation but last Thursday night he appeared as a half-time sub as the Magpies rounded off the regular section of their RedFM Hurling League Division 1 campaign with a win over Sarsfields, their ninth from nine matches.

Moloney acquitted himself as they eased to a 2-18 to 1-13, happy to have made his return to competitive action.

“It probably takes a bit of time to get used to the fitness,” he said, “the match-sharpness.

“It was great to get back in and everything went perfectly, thankfully.”

“It's just about eight months. I couldn't really have asked for much more now, the physio was excellent – Kevin O’Brien in UPMC in the Mardyke. He really helped me a lot.

“The lads have been a great support as well, but in a strange way, I kind of enjoyed it.

“Like, it was nice to kind of not be worrying about hurling all the time and not having to go training in the winter was a nice break!

“It’s great to be back, though.”

While there not have been a compulsion to be at ‘proper’ training, rehab is far from easy and requires discipline and diligence. Thankfully, Moloney was able to get himself into a strong routine that has now reaped dividends.

“I was up to nothing really, so I was basically in the gym every day,” he said, “some form of activity every day.

“Like I said, once you get into the routine of it, you enjoy it and that pays off then when you come back.”

Beyond the physical recuperation, an obstacle for Moloney to overcome was the potential for self-pity. So close to another county final appearance – and with such a good year behind him, having excelled in the group stages, the quarter-final victory over Midleton and the semi against the Rockies – it would have been easy to wallow.

Moloney’s attitude was a mature one, though, allowing him to process the experience well and focus on the return rather than what had been missed.

“I said at the time that injuries are part of sport and they happen to everyone,” he said.

“You might have a few days to feel sorry for yourself after the operation, you think about what else could have happened if you had played the county final, but, like, you’d only get frustrated if you did that too much.

It's just part of sport, really.”

Having endured the drawbacks, he now has a new championship campaign to look forward to as Midleton share a group with St Finbarr’s, Bride Rovers and Newcestown.

Before that, there is a re-match with Sars in the league final the weekend after next, giving Moloney another chance to get minutes into the legs and challenge for a spot on Pádraig O’Shea’s team.

“Oh, yeah, the timing is perfect, but I suppose I have to earn my place back because they’ve been going so well!” he laughed.

“I was lucky, there’s a few lads away on holidays, so it was the perfect opportunity to come in for the Sars game but I’m not in the first 15 at the moment.

“It’s all about just getting that back but, look, I've been enjoying it. Training has been top-notch and I’m just delighted to be back, really.”