Joe Canning is prepared to battle through the pain barrier as he continues to battle with a persistent groin problem.
The Portumna and Galway star has been dogged by the injury and has been advised that he would need to rest up for up to 12 months if he is to rid himself of it in the long-term.
However, with his ambitions firmly focused on success with club and county, Canning admits he will plough on until the injury becomes too much to take.
Speaking in today's Irish Independent, Canning said: 'A lot of guys do take the break. But, when you're involved in success with the club, it's hard not to be part of that. And, with Galway, there's so much potential there to win a Leinster and All-Ireland, you want to be part of that as well.'
Canning, who received the Halifax GPA Fair Play award for hurling at a reception in Dublin yesterday, added: 'It hasn't been too bad the last couple of weeks. It's a thing that you could have for two or three weeks and then it could go away for two or three weeks. I've been lucky enough that I didn't feel it too much at the latter end of the club championship.'
The 21-year-old concluded: 'It's the type of thing that, even if I do nothing, it could flare up again. You need a load of rest. A short rest won't do it. It's nearly better off if you keep going.
'You don't have that long of a career, so, if I can play, I'll play. There's nothing inhibiting me that means I'm killing myself to play. When, or if, it gets to that, I'll think about it then.'
