Galway hurling starlet Joe Canning has admitted he could do with a year off after dealing with the effects of a groin injury for some time.
Canning, 20, is the latest young player to admit to the effects of what is usually classified as an 'overuse injury', brought on by playing too many games at too young an age.
It is also a condition which the GAA has sought to address after detailed analysis of the 'burnout' problem which has beset both codes in recent years.
But that is little consolation to Canning, who admitted in today's Irish Independent: 'I need a year off basically, but unless I get dropped or something, I don't think I am going to have that.'
The Portumna forward went on to outline how he struggles in the days after his exertions on the field.
He revealed: 'Unless it would threaten my career – as in somebody telling me I wouldn't be hurling next year or whatever – then maybe I might take a break. It's okay at the moment. I'm able to get by.
'I play matches all right and the day after I would be sore and then it will clear up with a bit of rest.'
