Limerick’s Seamus Flanagan gives an update on his hamstring injury

LIMERICK senior hurler Seamus Flanagan is on his way back from injury. Flanagan will be back on the training pitch with his teammates this week, he revealed this Tuesday. 

“I was just saying to the lads, it is harder to get back for Munster. Games coming thick and fast. I’m back on the pitch now this week. Please god, back hurling soon,” Flanagan said at the launch of the All-Ireland senior hurling championship series at Michael Cusack Centre in Carran, Clare.

The Limerick attacker limped off with a hamstring injury against Waterford in the final fixture of the Munster SHC round-robin series. 

“I made a dart left. I’d made five or six runs before that. I felt warmed up. I landed with my left leg and felt something go. It wasn’t a full tear. A grade 2 tear and it was downgraded to a grade 1. Should be good to go in the next week or two,” he said.

It was disappointing for Flanagan to miss last weekend’s Munster final but he was just happy that it wasn’t a long-term injury. The Feohanagh-Castlemahon clubman has some sympathy for Peter Casey. 

“It’s short-term. For Peter, it is heartbreaking really. Coming back fresh from a cruciate to have this horror injury happen. Mike has been through the wringer with knees as well. Hamstrings, things like that. It is tough on the family. I know his mother Helen really well. My wife does as well. But I don’t know if you saw the picture of the lads sitting with him afterwards, it just goes to show the comradery and bond that is there.”

Throw-in for last weekend’s Munster final was put back a half hour due to a power outage in Thurles. Flanagan doesn’t feel it had a massive impact on the players. 

“It didn’t. It’s funny we went through the same in 2021 in the All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford. The famous bale of hay. The game got pushed back a half hour as well. You get back in, reassess, go through your routine again. Get the warmup done. I know the boys had been out so I think they just carried on their routine.

“The lads are professional enough, it is only half an hour.It is fairly chilled and carefree. You get the gels and jellies, water and sports drink. I don’t think there is anyone pedantic about routine.”

One particular moment in Declan Hannon’s speech after the Munster final gained a lot of attention among hurling fans. 

“I don’t know where he pulled that number from, 53 on the backroom team. I’d never heard the likes of it. I’m assuming he put players in as well. When he said it, I was chatting to Cian at the time. He must know more than I do! They must all be working from home!”