Kiernan's back - and looking forward

GAA news

When Oisin Kiernan picked up an injury during the National League, the word on the street was that the outlook was grim and that he would be out for several months. Luckily for the Castlerahan man, and the county, surgery was not required and he has returned much earlier than feared.

“It was serious enough at the time. I’m well looked after, I don’t know the exact information on what it was but it was a hamstring tendon rupture,” Kiernan explained at an online media event last Friday.

“Originally I thought I was going to need an operation but I had an ACL injury a few years ago on the same leg and from just talking to the surgeon, he said there was a chance it could mend itself back together without surgery.

“That was what we opted for, it was a small risk at the time, but luckily enough I got back a wee bit sooner than I thought and all has been good since.”

There was a real worry, he admitted, that he could have been sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

“I suppose that was it, if I had gotten the operation it would have been 12 to 14 weeks, which would have been me coming back about now so I would have missed a large chunk of it alright. I got lucky in end.”

After the boom and bust of 2020 and 2021, there is a sense that Cavan have righted the ship and are back on course.

“It’s hard one to put your finger on, it was a strange one because of Covid. Then the league format changed and we lost a couple of tight games and then all of a sudden we’re in a relegation play-off and we lost that one too and we’re down to Division 4.

“There’s a few factors there but it’s hard to put your finger on what exactly it was.

“We were focused on just turning that around and getting back out of Division 4 and luckily we did that this year so we’ll try and push on again now.”

“That’s what we’re always aiming for, getting a bit of consistency back and it’s great to get these games too.

“We take it game by game but we’re picking up a few wins now and that’s what we’re always striving for.”

“The semi-final in Croke Park was a great game, the two semi-finals were great games, so really looking forward to getting back up there. It’ll be a good game so I can’t wait.”

Kiernan has thoroughly enjoyed the Tailteann Cup to date. “I think it’s been great. After going out of Ulster we regrouped and we put a lot of work in early on in the year and it was great to push on and win a couple of games.

“We find ourselves in the final now and I think the competition has been great.

“The Cavan crowd and everyone around us has been getting into it too.”

Asked if he found it difficult watching the Sam Maguire quarter-finals, knowing Cavan could have been there, Kiernan stated: “At this stage, not really because we’re just focusing on where we are at now.

“If the year had have been over, of course it would have been difficult and it’s difficult in the days after falling short to Donegal.

“You just have to pick yourself up fairly quick because the games come thick and fast. You’re just focusing on the next training session and what’s coming ahead for us.”

Kiernan expects Westmeath to pose a very stern challenge.

“They’re strong, they were very good in the semi-final. They have been gaining momentum and putting up high scores.

“We’ve obviously been meeting the Ulster teams but we have the chance now against a Leinster team.

“They were unlucky not to be promoted to Division 2.

“We watched them the last couple of games obviously, we saw a bit of the other semi. They’re used to playing in Croke Park as well in the Leinster Championship.

“It’ll be an interesting game. They’re a good side, we played them in a challenge game or two and there’s never much in it and I’m sure it’ll be the same again.

What would it mean to win the cup?

“That’s what it’s all about. As a kid going to Croke Park, that’s where you want to be, that’s where you want to be playing. We’re very lucky that we have the chance to do that.

“The focus now is getting over the line and getting the win.”

The last time Cavan had a major success was winning the Ulster title in 2020. Of course, there was no opportunity in those lockdown days to celebrate with friends and clubmates; that will be different this time if Cavan can get over the line.

“Yeah, it would have been great to have the crowd there, it would have been unbelievable.

“But with Covid it was just so strange, it was a new experience for everyone really. That’s the way it was and look, our main aim was to win and the celebrations didn’t happen but we had no control over that really.”

When it was put to Kiernan that in future, perhaps the Tailteann winners could re-enter the Sam Maguire race, he was in favour but insisted that having the chance to qualify automatically next year is a great incentive in itself.

“It’s a great idea what you’ve mentioned there. It’s something I would never have thought of because that’s just the way it was and we have to just carry on the way it is.

“To be in the All-Ireland next year is also a great incentive, that’s where we want to be.

“Even though it is a year away, that’s what you have to keep building towards. It’s not that far away either.”