Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY v CUALA NO CURRAMS OF COMFORT
Dan’s a man who knows how to cope with hardship
IF Daniel Currams developed a phobia of playing challenge games, you’d hardly blame him.
Just a week before Kilcormac/ Killoughey played St Thomas’s in the 2013 All-ireland club hurling final, he broke his arm during a run out against Kilkenny under-21s.
Without their ace forward, the Offaly men slipped to a two-point loss, having also suffered two red cards during the game.
“For me personally, the 2013 All-ireland, that’s going to be a tough one to take for the rest of your life if you don’t get back there,” he says.
“It was heartbreaking to miss the biggest game you can play for your club.
“Obviously it was devastating but life goes on and we got back and won the next two (county titles) but it’s always something in the back of your mind, missing that day.”
That’s why, when the near certainty of missing this year’s county final arose, Currams refused to accept it.
Just before the semi-final, he suffered a broken fibula in a challenge game against Craughwell.
“I knew it was very bad, I didn’t know it was broken. I was in Galway and it wouldn’t stop bleeding. That’s why I went to casualty in the first place.
“When I went in then they just x-rayed it and told me it was broke.”
Currams resigned himself to being out of hurling for the rest of the year.
However, when reading Jackie Tyrrell’s autobiography one evening, he was struck by the lengths the ex-kilkenny star went to to recover from injury. There and then, he resolved to get back for the final, where K/K would face St Rynagh’s.
“The first time I would have jogged on it was Thursday morning (before the final). You’d be wary of it. I did a small bit more on the Friday and took it easy Saturday and it just all worked out, thank God.”
Currams was introduced during the first half, just 29 days after breaking his leg. He scored 0-3, the last point late on particularly spectacular and crucial, as Rynagh’s were breathing down their necks.
“On a personal level it was hugely satisfying to see all your hard pay off. Not only that, but being able to make an impact as well.”
The 28-year-old has impressed since on the club’s run to a third Leinster final in six seasons, though K/K are clear underdogs against Allireland champions Cuala in Portlaoise tomorrow.
Cuala’s star man is
Dublin footballer Con
O’callaghan, and Currams has a strong dual background himself having represented
Offaly in both codes in the Championship.
And his uncle Liam won senior All-irelands in both codes, as well as being one of just three men to win All-stars in hurling and football.
“Everywhere you go you’re always asked ‘are you related to Liam Currams?’ so it definitely was a motivating influence.
“I’m glad I can say I played both.”