Larry Ryan: Finding the Phyx to stretch out a five-a-side career

While not too many know about fitness and recovery specialist John Dillon, everybody seems to find him. The crocked use him to recover, the elite to fine tune or prevent injury. But can he get one of our own back on the astro? 

BIT OF A STRETCH: John Dillon overseeing Larry Ryan perform exercises at his gym Phyx in Douglas, Cork. Picture: David Creedon

THE odd reader may recall an emotional column in these quarters around four years ago when my retirement from the five-a-side arena was confirmed. Despite adamant protests, the physio and surgeon were unanimous this was the appropriate course of action, should there be any ambition, down the line, to climb or even descend a stairs. The knee groaned agreement, so a final sorrowful farewell to the astros and cages and halls was bade.

Except, and you can mark this down, if you wish, to another slice of mainstream media fake news, a few months later I made a comeback. No miracle improvement in ability, granted. But a comeback nonetheless. And it was all down to John Dillon.