Cian Sheehan: I've become obsessed with football

Limerick All-Star nominee and marauding Newcastle West man Cian Sheehan admits he "fell out of love" with the game after a cruciate ligament injury in 2019 ground his career to a halt.

Sheehan was living in the USA at the time. He sustained the injury when playing a game there and subsequently returned to Ireland for surgery.

The 27-year-old came out the other side of that setback a very different player. A hunger was ignited inside him that burned with a rage he'd never experienced before. He pulled his boots back on - and completely dedicated himself to Gaelic football.

A switch to wing-back with Limerick complemented all of his raw strengths perfectly. Sheehan had a fantastic 2022 with the Treaty, helping them to a Munster SFC final and getting himself on the All-Star short list.

And now, he's aiming to drive Newcastle West to provincial glory when they face Kerry outfit Kerins O'Rahilly's in the AIB Munster GAA Football Senior Club Championship final at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.

"We don't need to use it to fire us up. We're fired up already."

"I took a break from football for a while but I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to go back and play inter-county one more time," said Sheehan.

"I fell out of love with the game for a small bit but following the cruciate, to be honest, I've just become obsessed with football. It wasn’t like that when I was younger, being on county panels.

"I’ve applied myself a lot better - more mature, more tactically aware, physically I’ve built on that, so I’m in a place now where I haven’t enjoyed football as much before.

"Hopefully, next year will be another improvement."

Saturday's collision under the lights is a mouthwatering prospect. Both sides are packed with grit and