By John Harrington

Very few players have shown the same will to triumph over adversity that Kilcormac-Killoughey star Dan Currams did this year.

Just 29 days after sustaining a broken fibula bone in his left leg in a challenge match, he somehow got himself fit enough to play a key role in his club’s County Final win over St. Rynagh’s.

With the game in the melting pot, Currams was introduced as a substitute and scored three points that proved vital in Kilcormac-Killoughey’s victory.

Currams credits former Kilkenny hurler Jackie Tyrrell’s autobiography with inspiring him to make the effort required to make a much earlier than expected comeback from his broken leg.

“Yeah, I was just reading his book one night and when he got injured, he used to go and get it rubbed out every day," said Currams.

“That just sort of sparked it off one night when I was reading. I texted the physio then. Nothing to lose and from there I just got it in my head, did everything I could.

“I think that's just what's so special about the GAA. You do see these lads pushing the boundaries a small bit. It just means that bit more when it's your club.

“The people you grew up with, your friends, your family. Look it's just the GAA has this hold on you when you're playing. You go that extra mile to tog out for your club.

“On a personal level it's been very satisfying. All your hard work paid off.”

It was Currams’ fourth county championship with Kilcormac-Killoughey and the most satisfying one yet.

Not just because he had overcome the odds to play a big part in it, but because it marked a comeback of sorts for a team that had won three-in-a-row from 2012 to 2014 but then slipped off the pace.

“Yeah I suppose I did (savour it) a bit more,” said Currams. “I suppose I took everything in the county final day, maybe took it all a bit more, stayed out on the field a bit longer maybe just to savour the moment a bit more.

“You never know this might be the last time you hurl in Leinster. Could be the last time you ever win a county title. You just have to savour the moment and make the best of it.”

Currams is well aware that that Kilcormac-Killoughey will be underdogs when they play reigning All-Ireland champions Cuala in Sunday’s AIB Leinster Club SHC Final, but, as he’s already made abundantly clear this year, he’s a man who enjoys a challenge.

“Absolutely, yeah, this is why you hurl,” he said. “Days like this the Leinster final is why you want to be playing.

“It's great to see all the bunting out. As a player you don't realise it as much but you see how much it means to the people of the parish.

“Like the older people it gives them a new lease of life over the winter. They’ve been following the team for years and never having won anything.

“Then being so successful the last few years, you see how much it means to them and the enjoyment it brings to them.”