Shefflin honoured to join elite group

Henry Shefflin has admitted that recovering from injury to win his eighth All-Ireland medal was a hugely emotional experience.

Shefflin, the nine-time GAA All Star, battled his way back from the cruciate injury he suffered in last year’s final to play a starring role in the Cats’ four-point win over Tipperary.

“The whole emotional thing, I am still probably getting to grips with it,” Shefflin said.

“But this week, I think it is a great honour for myself personally and for the team as well. It just shows how successful we have been in this period.

“I suppose to come back from the injury – and earlier in the year I didn’t know whether I would be back - but to get back here today makes it all the more special.”

Shefflin, along with team-mates Eddie Brennan, Michael Kavanagh and Noel Hickey, joins an elite group of players which includes Tipperary’s John Doyle and Cork legend Christy Ring with eight Celtic Crosses.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said of his achievement. “It won’t really sink in until we sit down and think about it over the winter.

“Last year there would have been talk that we would have won it and it didn’t work out that way so it makes it all the sweeter that you can come back.

“I think after losing last year it makes it all the better to come back this year and to get the victory.”

The Ballyhale man’s rehabilitation was a slow and lonely process, but he admits that thoughts of reclaiming the Liam MacCarthy Cup helped sustain him during the winter months.

“When you were doing the hard graft on your own you would have flashes in your mind of maybe getting back to the first Sunday in September and seeing Brian (Hogan) lifting the cup.

“That obviously was the driving factor to get back. I am delighted to get there and delighted to fulfil that dream.”