Shefflin’s ‘tentative’ steps back
The nine-time All Star’s initial few action exchanges were hesitant ones as he visibly eased himself back into his first competitive game since re-damaging his cruciate in last year’s All-Ireland final.
Former Kilkenny players who watched him in training games in Nowlan Park in recent weeks spoke of grimacing every time Shefflin went in for a challenge or twisted or turned.
If they were worried for the Ballyhale man he was a little apprehensive himself against Wexford. Although he likes to think he started fully committed from the get-go he acknowledges he got more confident as the game went on.
“Well, it’s very hard to say. I suppose you’d say to yourself you’re ready to go 100% but you are a small bit tentative, there’s no doubt about it.
“But no, I was happy enough; I am happy enough with how I’m moving more than anything else.
“I suppose the hurling aspect and stuff like that will probably — hopefully — come as I get more match action under my belt.
“But it’s once you feel you’re moving freely, and I am doing that. That for me is the key benefit of it.
“We’ve three weeks until the Leinster final and a couple of hard weeks to train, so that will stand you in good stead.”
As much as Shefflin had spoken last month of being able to wake up the following morning with no adverse pain around the knee, he had no concern about it flaring up on him again.
“No, not at this stage because I’ve done all the training and some days you do severe training back to back, and once you’re not reacting at that stage, once you don’t fall or get a bad belt, that’s more what I meant.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be like that, so I didn’t have any fear. So you just get on with it, you know?”
There is no hesitation in Shefflin’s voice in saying he’d go the lengths he did to make last year’s All-Ireland final all over again. The cryotherapy following the injury in the semi-final, the uber-intense rehab... everything.
“Definitely so, no doubt about it. It was an opportunity to play first of all. I was able to run, able to jog and twist and turn, obviously not to the level I would have liked to as it turns out.
“If I had been sitting in the stands and I was able to do that I would always have been wondering.
“At least now I have no wonders. I was unlucky, John Tennyson was lucky enough to come through it.
“I started well enough and I did well enough in training so I was happy.
“Just whatever movement I made it wasn’t strong enough, but if I didn’t play I’d always be wondering what-if. I don’t have that.”
Of course, his start last September meant he continued to be an ever-present figure for Kilkenny in championship since making his debut in 1999.
Saturday marked his 53rd consecutive SHC appearance but it’s not something he has thought too much about.
“I don’t know if I’m proud — I’m starting to sound my age — but no... it’s consecutive, is it? I wasn’t that aware of it, to be honest.
“I can’t remember, it’s so many years ago — ‘99. In 2001 I hurt my shoulder but I don’t think I missed any matches; I missed the U21 championship that year.
“But obviously, look, it’s lovely. I’ve had my fair share of injuries in the off season, though, to make up for not being injured during the season. It’s nice.”
Shefflin was reasonably happy with Kilkenny’s performance against Wexford. Although the margin of victory (11) was comfortable, he knows there is room for improvement.
As for what Brian Cody thought of it? Shefflin would prefer to leave that one to his manager himself.
“I’d say he is happy but is he ever... you can never get him that happy. Any manager would be looking for things to work on for the next day and we definitely have things to work on for the next day.
“We are starting from a low base after the league final and we just want to keep it going now for the Leinster final, that’s going to be a severe test.”
Kilkenny eagerly await the winners of the Dublin-Galway semi-final with Shefflin giving the mildest hint they would like a tilt at Anthony Daly’s side after what happened in last month’s Allianz Division 1 final.
Asked if Kilkenny would prefer to face Dublin, Shefflin said: “I think you know the answer to that,” before qualifying, “I wouldn’t say so, no. I’m looking forward to the game next Saturday night, they are two very evenly matched teams, I think it’s going to be a great game.
“I don’t think we would look at it like that, to be fair to Dublin if they had played anyone in the country that day I think they would have won because they played so well the day of the league final.”
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