Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1141648
12 | SPRING 2019 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie FEATURE final win over Foxrock-Cabinteely, it was decided that O'Sullivan would gradually return to inter- county action this year. Her first appearance in red was as a sub in the Round 5 win over Donegal, and after that 16-minute cameo she started against Mayo the following week, played 60 minutes and scored 1-2. But then injury struck and instead of leading her side to the Lidl League title, she faced a long, hard road back to fitness. Being cut off from her teammates was the hardest part. "I only missed one training session from an attendance point of view, but you still couldn't take part. It was tough going. The one session I missed I just couldn't go. I rang Ephie one day and told him I couldn't go, that I wasn't in the right head space. "There were training sessions there, you're coming away crying. There was a time I thought the injury was a lot more serious and I was booking a flight and going away for the summer because if you're not playing it's horrific to be on the sideline and not be able to do anything. Thankfully it didn't come to that. "As captain, you're talking to the girls, trying to organise stuff. If you're not playing, it's really hard: the good captains do their talking on the pitch. It was so frustrating, but I'm coming right now. Rehab has gone well so I'm looking forward to the summer ahead." O'Sullivan's rehab was complicated by a total ban on weights training and bike work-outs, in order to give her a chance to recover fully. So, when she finally received the sign-off from team physio Órla Coughlan, she tore into the pitch session like a fresh-faced minor. Above left: Doireann in action for Cork against Nicole Feery of Westmeath. Above right: Doireann in action for Cork during the TG4 All- Ireland Ladies Football Senior Championship Final match v Dublin "I was so giddy, I thought I was going to get given out to. I had just gone to Órla to get the final go-ahead and I was running out as the girls were getting into the team huddle. After the run, I thought I'd need a defibrillator because I was so unfit. "It was just brilliant to be back. The craic at training is my favourite. No matter how hard training is, there is always a great atmosphere and a brilliant vibe. It's just awful to miss out on it. "I don't think until it's taken away from you that you appreciate how much you enjoy it. A lot of the time you'd be giving out about X, Y and Z, but when you can't train you'd do anything to be back on the pitch." That return to the field came in the week leading up to Cork's Munster final win over Waterford, and while she wasn't near ready to play, vice-captain Martina O'Brien insisted that O'Sullivan would pick up the cup afterwards. That win means Cork have been paired with Cavan and Armagh in Group 1 of the All-Ireland series, and it is expected that last year's runners- up will progress to the quarter-finals if all games go to form. Last year, the new structure introduced suited Cork and O'Sullivan hopes they can go one step better at the end of a hectic couple of months. Five wins in a row will get them to that target. "We were just talking about how exciting the group games are. Sometimes you lose a quarter- final and next thing you know your summer is over. "We have two extra games with the new structure since last year, so you have the chance to try some things and build some momentum. "We have Cavan and Armagh in consecutive weeks and hopefully an All-Ireland quarter-final to look forward to. "July, August and September, that's when you want to be playing football. If it means we get to be in Croke Park in September I'd give up the League and the provincial medals. This is the main one."