Tipp blow as Hennessy set for more knee surgery

Tipperary’s 2010 All-Ireland SHC medallist Seamus Hennessy has revealed his championship season is in jeopardy as he requires further surgery on an ongoing knee problem.

The versatile Kilruane MacDonagh’s clubman returned to intercounty action in January but missed the entire National League after suffering an injury setback.

And writing in an online blog, Hennessy has revealed the mental challenges associated with trying to return to full fitness.

The two-time All-Ireland minor medallist revealed: “For the past two years, I have had a knee injury that has left me missing pretty much all of the 2011, 2012 and most of the 2013 GAA seasons and feeling a lot of discomfort in day to day living. I have undergone surgery twice previously (and am having some more minor surgery again this week) to try and cure the problem. I have had times where I’d experience pain when simply walking around at home and the injury has become a constant in my life for the last 27 months. As a result I have had to work on overcoming this obstacle, both in the physical sense through rehabilitation exercises, and mentally by employing coping mechanisms to ensure I continue to get better. Now, I know that many people are suffering much worse than I am, and that I am extremely lucky in comparison to what some people have to deal with, but I can only offer my own experience of dealing with my obstacle, much like every person can only explain their own situation.”

Hennessy, who also won an All-Ireland U21 medal in 2010, added: “Surrounding yourself with good people is vital. Whether your obstacle is physical, mental or otherwise, being around people who support you, offers you guidance, listens to you and stays positive is critical to overcome any obstacle. Living in the present moment is critical also. Overcoming obstacles require you to deal with the situation as it is right now, not in the past or into the future, right now in the present. I’m not the only person who ever hurt their knee, and you’re unlikely to be the only person ever who faced the obstacle your facing, so how you deal with the challenge is the important thing. Ultimate success in overcoming the obstacle is determined by your attitude to it.”