'I don't know how I played on' - Megan Connolly

It's five months since Megan Connolly went down injured in the early stages of the Republic of Ireland's crucial 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over Finland.

The versatile Brighton and Hove Albion player was filling in at centre-half that evening, and hurt herself in the process of cutting out a dangerous low cross.

There was relief all round when she got back on her feet and played on, producing an excellent display as Ireland picked up a massive three points.

Little wonder then that the extent of the injury, only revealed in the days after the game, left everyone gobsmacked.

Connolly had fractured her ribs and sustained a grade three laceration of the kidney. She was kept in hospital for three days and then spent a further two weeks in bed. Then there was four weeks of rest, a scan a fortnight after that and finally, on week seven, she was able to work towards making it back on the pitch.

Reflecting on how she managed to play on in Tallaght, Connolly said: "I don't know how I did but the adrenaline was crazy. I felt it when it happened but adrenaline took over.

"I felt it at half-time and was worried it would affect me but I didn’t feel it once in the second half. It was grand during the celebrations when I was dancing around.

"Once the adrenaline wore off, the pain began to come. We got it checked out the next day.

"To be fair, I was passing a bit of blood for four or five days after, just because of the nature of it. I think most of the pain went away two or three weeks in and then it was just a case of trying to get back on the pitch, really.

"I just accepted it because it was an injury that I couldn’t control. It was worth it because of the win."

Connolly is, thankfully, fully recovered now. A versatile, highly reliable player,