Offaly hurling captain Charlie Mitchell is hopeful he can play some part in the 2026 championship after being diagnosed with a heart condition earlier this year.
The brilliant Kilcormac-Killoughey forward was named Offaly skipper for the season ahead, succeeding Ciarán Burke in the role.
The honour was bestowed on the talented young forward just as he received the Offaly Senior Hurler of the Year accolade for the second year in a row.
Leadership is nothing new to Mitchell, who also led the Faithful County to a Leinster Under-20 title in 2023.
This year, however, he has not yet managed to lead the senior team out of the dressing room after being diagnosed with myocarditis, which inflammation of the heart muscle.
While Johnny Kelly's side is busy refining preparations for their Championship opener against Dublin in Tullamore on Saturday week, Mitchell's role thus far has been in supporting his team-mates at training and matches.
But he remains hopeful that he can play a part in the championship.
"It’s day by day at the moment," he told RTÉ Sport. "There are more tests to do but I’m remaining positive that I might see game time.
"It’s been tough. You go from training three to four times a week and have that taken away, so it’s hard to figure. I’m still mad to get back on the field pucking a ball, but then you get perspective quickly, too. Your health is the most important thing."
Mitchell was training one night in January and experienced chest pain.
"I thought I had got a belt but the pain was an unusual one, so I got a few tests and once I found out what was wrong, it was pure rest from there. All I was to do was rest and you just follow the advice of the people that know.
"I've just been resting ever since I got diagnosed."
The University of Galway student said that it had affected his studies as well because it was hard to get his head focused and into the books when dealing with his current situation.
"It's tough mentally, but you help the lads as much as you can and hopefully now everything works out with the tests and then I can get to play some part in the championship," he added.
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