Kerry's Moran shows 'steel' in injury comeback

Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice has praised the determination and resilience shown by young midfielder David Moran in coming back from an awful series of injuries.

Moran stepped in for the injured Anthony Maher in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final win over Cavan to make his first Championship appearance in three years.

That the son of Kerry legend Ogie Moran was even on the Croke Park pitch was an achievement in itself. He has battled back from two cruciate ligament injuries in recent seasons - he had a second operation on his left knee in March 2012 - and a retina tear suffered in a challenge game against Laois in May which delayed his return.

Moran turned in a workmanlike display in the Kingdom's engine room, helping them finish out as 0-15 to 0-9 winners over Cavan with his performance crowned by a well-taken 50th minute point.

Relief was the emotion he was feeling afterwards as he reflected on his first Championship outing since the 2010 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Down.

“Ah, there was a lot of relief. It was only after that you realise that you've got through it and you're thankful that you did," he is quoted as saying by the Irish Examiner.

"During it, you want to win the game and you forget very quickly that it's your first game in a long while. It was all about getting through to a semi-final.

"The first game is just about competing - that's all you want to do. You're coming back from injury and all you're concentrating on is making sure you do what you have to do.

"The next day will be different, there will be a bit more freedom and it'll be as if I never got injured and you're judged more like everyone else. You're not looking for ready-made excuses."

Moran certainly left an impression on Kerry boss Fitzmaurice who was very pleased to see the Kerins O'Rahillys clubman featuring in a big Championship game after such a long road back to full fitness.

"David Moran did very well for a man who hasn't played in an inter-county game in a couple of years. I was delighted to give him the news he was starting," admitted Fitzmaurice, who brought him in before the throw-in for hamstring injury victim Maher.

"What that man has gone through psychologically as much as anything else. He's shown some steel to come back from the injuries he's had.

"And after how hard he worked during the winter, to get a setback with his eye was heart-breaking, but he never let it show. He kept driving on. The whole squad was delighted for him. He did himself justice."

Moran will have a fight on his hands though to hold onto that midfield spot for the September 1 semi-final clash with Dublin, with Maher expected to be fit to face the Leinster champions and Bryan Sheehan also an option there.

The 24-year-old is eager to feature against the Dubs, but is more concerned with the level of performance that the Munster title holders will need against Jim Gavin's highly-rated side.

"There are four weeks (until the semi-final) and we'll give ourselves every possible chance to be right for it. I'd be hoping it could be tomorrow but it's Dublin-Kerry and with everything that goes with it I'll enjoy the build-up," added Moran.

"We weren't overly happy with the second half (against Cavan)...we've time now to concentrate on an All-Ireland semi-final. What we produced against Cavan won't do, but we're determined to put in a better performance the next day."