Damien Comer

By Cian O'Connell

“It's kind of a reality check once you pick up a serious injury I suppose,” Damien Comer reflects on his bitterly frustrating inter-county campaign of 2019.

The Annaghdown clubman only made one appearance in the Galway jersey when losing an All Ireland SFC Round Four Qualifier to Mayo in July.

For the previous seven months Comer waited, worried, and wondered when a troublesome ankle would heal.

“I didn't know I was ever going to get back playing to the way I was,” Comer admits. “It's a reality check in that you never know when's your last chance to play for Galway.

“An innocuous injury like that could have finished me. I'm just trying to get back. I still don't think I'm back to where I should be yet.

“Every day you train, you're getting better and fitter and every match brings you on. It's just building confidence in yourself again, to try to get confidence in the way you used to play. Building up your fitness levels is a big thing this time of year and the games are great for that.”

Comer missed Galway’s recent Allianz Football League win over Meath due to a slight hamstring strain, but has enjoyed operating at centre forward this spring under new manager Pádraic Joyce.

“It's good and again it's getting miles in the legs,” Comer states. “When you miss a full season of hard training your base levels are going to be lower than normal. There's a bit more room out there as well.

“It's nice for a change. And obviously being out around the middle, the jump for kick-outs and bits like that and different aspects. I've played there at Under 21, played there with my club as well, so it's not hugely different.

“The way the game has gone now you're going to be tracking, you're going to find yourself out around the middle anyway. When you don't have the ball you're a defender, and when you have the ball you're an attacker. That's kind of the way it is.”

Comer is well used to interesting Galway and Mayo encounters with both counties eager to add points to their respective Allianz Football League accounts at Pearse Stadium.

“When Galway and Mayo play there is always a bit of bite because of the rivalry,” Comer remarks. “I don't think it matters what end of the table [either team is at].

“We just need to focus on ourselves and as Pádraic says we'll need to get minimum of two points, and possibly need to get three if not four over the next two games. We can only concentrate on ourselves.

“They have got their own battles, but we're trying to get to a league final as well. It always leads to an exciting encounter and I'm sure the numbers will be out in force as well. I don't think there's been too many Galway or Mayo battles that have left the supporters down excitement wise anyway.

“We're looking forward to it, great to be getting a chance to get out and play again. It's great and obviously it's competitive on the pitch, but it's great to have. Even as a young lad you were always looking forward to it. I'm sure younger people are the same looking forward to it. It's good to be in that position.”

Off the field Comer is busy working as a teacher in the expanding Claregalway College alongside inter-county colleagues Paul Conroy and Fiontan Ó Curraoin.

Comer also set up a business Atlantic Wellness & Recovery on the edge of Galway city. “Basically, it's a recovery centre for athletes or the general public to use,” Comer explains.

“After exercise or after a match or after they do a hard training session or maybe run a marathon. A lot of MMA and boxers are in to me.

“Just so they can increase their time so that they can train quicker after a tough session. Basically get them back on the pitch quicker or get them back in the gym or the next marathon. Whatever they're doing, to try and recover quicker.”

The time spent sidelined assisted in the planning process. “Being injured, you know these little niches in the market,” Comer laughs.

“Even with my hamstring injury, it's good to have somewhere to go like that. You can just get in ice straight away and try and recover as quickly as possible.

“It wouldn't have helped my situation a whole pile last year, but it was something I was thinking about setting up for a while.

“With an ankle injury, you just have to give it time and to give it rehab. It would have helped the swelling, but it wouldn't have increased my recovery time a whole pile because the injury that was there was just so significant.

“It took the time. I always kind of wanted to set up something on my own and always had that initiative to do it.”

The maroon and white jersey continues to matter for Comer.