Cian Lynch has revealed that the hamstring injury he suffered two years ago was career threatening, admitting it left him clinging to "faith" and "hope".
The Limerick star and two-time Hurler of the Year suffered the setback in the opening minutes of the 2022 Munster SHC tie against Waterford.
It wasn't until 10 weeks later that he returned to action as a sub in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat of Galway.
Between then and the final against Kilkenny, the Patrickswell icon suffered a further agonising ankle injury which eventually required surgery, capping off a disastrous few months.
Lynch had more trouble with the same hamstring during the 2023 championship, costing him precious game time again, and the 28-year-old has now acknowledged the full extent of the initial injury.
Former team-mate Tom Condon said in an interview that Lynch's hamstring injury in 2022 threatened his career and the player himself agreed.
"I think it was, yeah," nodded Lynch at the launch of Insomnia's five-year partnership with the GAA and GPA. "I think it was something like Grade 3, Grade 3C or something. Yeah, initially it was. But sure if you take what you're told initially on everything, you'd be left with nothing.
"I suppose faith is a huge thing and having a bit of hope. Thank God I was able to get back going again."
Lynch aggravated the same hamstring in last summer's Munster SHC Round 2 loss to Clare. He started the next game against Tipp but was taken off, was used as a sub against Cork in the last round and didn't feature at all in the provincial final.
"I was just trying to get it right," said Lynch of those difficult weeks before returning to top form in the 2023 All-Ireland series.
Lynch was photographed with a crutch last winter and didn't feature in the first three rounds of the National League before lining out this month against Tipperary and Galway.
Asked if the delayed return was because of a fresh injury or simply being rested, the 28-year-old was coy.
"Sure all you want to be doing as a player is play games, play as many matches as you can."
"No, just trying to get back into the swing of things and push yourself to get on the 15," he said. "It's so competitive, 36 lads there and all the new lads after coming in, it's great. It's healthy."
One of the intriguing storylines of Limerick's league campaign has been the repositioning of Cathal O'Neill to the half-back line.
In Lynch's absence, and more specifically with Declan Hannon out, O'Neill played at centre-back against Dublin in Round 3. Best known as a number 11, O'Neill is the only player to have started all of Limerick's league games as they seek to give him valuable match practice in the new zone.
"Cathal's unreal, he can play anywhere, he can do anything," said Lynch. "He epitomises the word 'athlete'. He's fast and strong. You can play him anywhere. He's flying it. He reads the game so well and he's got such a hurling brain, he can play anywhere."
Limerick will return to action on Saturday against Kilkenny in a league semi-final, a repeat of last year's league and All-Ireland deciders. That game will be played at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh meaning Limerick are unlikely to have played at their Gaelic Grounds base before their first Championship game there, against Tipperary on 28 April.
All of their league games were either played at neutral or away venues due to work on the Ennis Road venue.
"The county board and the officials are doing it up, the pitch, some drainage job they're doing," said Lynch.
"It's supposedly beautiful, they're meant to have done a great job. We're just grateful they're doing that work and we're just being patient for when it's back."
As for the actual value of making it to a league final, where they could meet Clare in advance of an 21 April championship rematch with the Banner in Ennis, Lynch said it's a non-issue.
"Sure all you want to be doing as a player is play games, play as many matches as you can," he said.
"Whether you're getting to a league semi-final, or if you push on and get to a league final, isn't that great? It's an absolute blessing."
