Injuries & Aylments
GER AYLWARD is looking to put his injury nightmares behind him and regain his electric form of 2015.
Three years ago, the Kilkenny forward enjoyed a rampant first full season on the team, hitting 3-15 in four Championship games as the Cats claimed their most recent All-ireland success.
However, Aylward sustained a cruciate ligament injury early the following year, which ruled him out for the season, and he was undermined by numerous setbacks thereafter.
He explained: “The hamstring went straight away the minute I came back. I nearly pulled it off the bone. That was another six weeks out. And then I did my shoulder.
“It was just all sorts of hardships after coming back from the knee.
“Hopefully this year now I’ll be able to get a good run at it again.”
With all the disruption, the 26-year-old has understandably failed to recapture his 2015 form on a consistent basis.
“Yeah, it was a great season. I’m trying to get back to that now because I haven’t been there for the last two years. Getting back to that level is what I’m aiming for.
“I have to focus first on getting my place on the panel and then just drive it on from there.”
For the second year running, Brian Cody’s (inset) men failed to make it to the last four of the Championship, though their only defeats came a gainst All-ireland finalists Galway and Limerick.
Aylward said: “We were very close to Galway in the Leinster Final and gave them a good run in the replay.
“We could have pipped Limerick. They did very well to come back and get that point at the end of it that pushed them on.
“There’s not much between us. If we can just get a little bit extra this year then hopefully we can go all the way.”
Kilkenny have a chance to lay down an early marker ahead of 2019 as they take on Galway in Sydney on Sunday for the Wild Geese Trophy as part of the Magners Sydney Irish Festival.
“We’re back into it now, looking ahead to 2019, so there’ll be no friendlies, we’ll be taking it very seriously as they will as well I’m sure,” Aylward insisted.
“Hopefully we there.” get the win over