Lucky 13 as Shanahan takes back seat
“It’s no harm, I suppose. It’s my 13th year playing intercounty and it’s my first break. Everyone has seen the benefits for Tony (Browne) over the last few years, he’s been phenomenal. He’s been consistent and hopefully I can go back like that.
“I miss the league, to be honest, I miss the craic with the lads, but there comes a time when you have to go back that month or so later and see how you get on.”
He’s on a different fitness programme in the interim, thanks to renowned physiotherapist Ger Hartmann.
“There’s a lot of I wouldn’t be that fond of – stretching and core work. There’s very little weights involved.
“I’ve been doing it constantly since we met Ger (Hartmann) in November, six or seven nights a week. So when other lads have a night off, I don’t have a night off. It takes about an hour and a half to do it in a gym and it has to be done so you’re not lagging behind the rest of them.
“I think it’s benefiting me – normally I’d only be able to touch my toes but I can go a bit further now. I find it different. It’s a new challenge for me and it’s freshened things up for me. It can only be a benefit in the end.”
On a more serious note, the big Lismore man is positive about the year ahead.
“If I didn’t think I could make a contribution I wouldn’t come back. After meeting Ger Keane and Ger Hartmann they nearly guaranteed me that if I follow the programme I’ll come back fitter and faster than I have been for a couple of years. I hope they’re right and I can’t be blamed for the effort I’m putting into it.
“If I can come on and do what I did against Galway last year – if it takes five minutes or 50 – I’ll be happy. Getting young lads through the year, showing them things they’re not used to if they’re having a bad patch in a game, encouraging them. We have a very young panel at the moment and if I can benefit them in any way that’ll be my job done for the year.
“I said to Davy the other day ‘can I go back training with the lads’ and he said ‘no way’. I hate missing training, I feel I’m missing out. The couple of months off should benefit us but at the start of March I’ll be back so I’ll only miss two league games – Dublin and Galway – and I’ll be available after that.”
And available to start. Shanahan is forthright about his designs on a place in the first fifteen.
“I’d rather start the games. That’s up to me and up to the manager and selectors. If I think I’m good enough on the day there’s no reason why I shouldn’t start, but it’s up to them. If he gives me five minutes well and good – you’re not going to keep 34 players on a panel happy.
“Tough decisions will have to be made but, I hope to start most games when I get back, not to be coming on. I’d rather be coming on as a sub rather than be taken off, if you know what I’m saying. That would shatter your confidence and I don’t want that.”
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