I’ve a hurl lot of determination to get back in Galway team
GALWAY hurler David Burke has opened up about the agony of missing out on key games this season after injuring his knee during training.
The All-ireland winning captain of 2017 suffered his first extended layoff earlier this year after undergoing cruciate surgery.
Midfielder David, 33, did the damage during an attacking drill in a training session on March 15.
He relives his journey to recovery on RTE’S My Bodyfix recalling: “I heard a snap and the pain was unbearable.
“I knew it was serious and might jeopardise my place on the team.”
Within days, David was diagnosed with a torn ACL – the anterior cruciate ligament that holds the knee together.
He shared his thoughts and disappointment on the debilitating injury that has ended many an athlete’s career.
David said: “That initial shock of realising that you’re gone for the season, it was heartbreaking really. It’s embarrassing, as some people have me written off already.”
Consultant Cathal Moran used 3D scans with a virtual reality headset to show David the torn ligament,
He then proposes keyhole surgery to replace it with another from his kneecap.
But the medic, based at the Sports Surgery clinic in Santry, Dublin, warned that surgery alone is no quick fix and a rehabilitation programme could take 12 months.
David took a backroom role with the Tribesmen on the advice of manager Henry Shefflin.
He twice suffered the dreaded ACL injury and battled back in record time from one for the 2010 All Ireland final. On the RTE show, David reveals how he set weekly goals for a long term recovery, determined to get back to play for his club St Thomas’ and eventually to wear his county colours next season.