HEASY DOES IT Cautious Jamie hints at a return to playing again ‘early next year’
JAMIE HEASLIP has delivered a cautious update on his fitness battle, suggesting he may be back in action ‘early next year’.
The Leinster and Ireland No 8 has spent almost 10 months out of action after a back injury suffered in the warm-up to March’s Six Nations win over England.
Heaslip underwent surgery on his lower back soon after the problem developed and is reported to have had a second operation later this year.
Late last month he spoke of a possible return early next year and cautiously repeated that hope yesterday but the 33 year-old mostly side-stepped any attempt to pin down a timeline.
“I’m feeling good, there’s no deadline or timeline,” he said.
When asked about his second op, Heaslip quickly interjected. “Which operation? Who said I had a second operation? Who did?” he asked before being asked to confirm it.
“I am not going to give you an answer. I have been very clear regarding my medical information. It’s private. I’ll get back on the field when I get back on the field. That’s as best as I can give you.
“I don’t mean to be hard on it but medical information, I’ve been quite clear about [keeping it private], I’ll be on the field when I’m fit and healthy. My medical information is private and it’s going to stay that way unfortunately.”
Rehab is “week by week,” he added, “but I’m able to do what they tell me to do”.
Ever the optimist, Heaslip insists he’s over the frustration of not being able to play and has found a silver lining to being stuck on the sidelines.
“I was able to plan my holidays for the first time in 12 years, which was nice,” he said. “I was able to become a fan which was really refreshing, truth be told, especially come the business end of the season.
“It’s been really nice to be a fan I suppose, and kind of be in your shoes, you know what I mean? It’s been great.”
There are some regrets, though, as he watches on as both Leinster and Ireland rack up wins on the domestic and international stage.
He said: “You’ve got to remember, I played for 12 years professionally and the longest I’ve gone since 2005 is two weeks without training so this has been a little bit different, it’s been refreshing to be honest. Energising.
“But you miss parts of it. You miss playing those kind of games like the weekend, those battles, the November series or opportunities in the summer that have gone.
“You miss those and when you’re injured you miss being around the players.
“I haven’t played with Scott Fardy, I haven’t played with James Lowe, Jordan Larmour or James Ryan – some of the younger lads who broke through at the tail end of last year and kicked on.”
JAMIE HEASLIP and Dublin GAA star Jack Mccaffrey helped launch the
2017 GOAL Miles in Irishtown Stadium yesterday. The popular annual fundraiser, which is now in its 36th year, will be staged at more 130 locations nationwide over the Christmas and New Year period. To find your local GOAL Mile, visit www.goalglobal.org.