Adam Screeney won't put date on recovery from overload injury

The Offaly star hasn’t played a game for his county or college UL this season.

oneills.com, leading online sportswear retailer, with the GAA are delighted to announce the fourth year of their U20 GAA All-Ireland Hurling Championship sponsorship deal at Croke Park, pictured is Offaly U20 hurler Adam Screeney. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Offaly star Adam Screeney is not putting any timeline on his return to action as he recovers from a groin injury.

Screeney, who claimed U20 All-Ireland, Joe McDonagh Cup, senior county and freshers honours last year, hasn’t played a game for his county or college UL this season.

Rest has been recommended for the Kilcormac-Killoughey man in overcoming the osteitis pubis problem, which he has been suffering since the Offaly SHC semi-final against Coolderry last October and is considered an overload injury.

“I was taking anti-inflammatories before games just to get through, it probably wasn't the solution,” admits Screeney. “It was a disaster, really. Constant pain in your groin, it's a disaster. I had a nice little break there now. I'll have to monitor the load going forward to make sure it doesn't come back or doesn't affect anywhere else.” 

Screeney won’t be risked against Waterford this weekend although the Division 1B final — most likely against the Déise again — on April 5 or Leinster SHC opener against Dublin on April 19 could be a possibility. Before then, there is also a U20 Leinster first round clash with Galway on April 8.

“I have no timeline. It's just so hard to know because it could be different for you than it is for me. I have steps on the ladder. When I get to this step, I can go on to the next.” 

If fit, Screeney’s game-time will be managed carefully between senior and U20 as will the other tyros. “It’s hectic at the minute but in fairness to the boys, they’ll manage it. They managed it well last year and the physios will manage it. It definitely won't be a case of players being overworked or anything.” 

The 20-year-old is thrilled that Offaly have been promoted to Division 1A, as difficult as it has been to be an onlooker. “I don't think anyone really expected that at the start of the year, that we’d be in a league final with a game to go and promoted but it's great.

“Every game we've turned up, we've played well and we're getting victories where sometimes in the past few years, when we turned into a dogfight, we mightn’t have got the win out but even against Westmeath we struggled and got a win. It's great. It is hard to stay in the lane and watch in on that. I’m itching to get back but I suppose what can I do?”