By Cian O'Connell

---

A winter spent worrying, wondering, but most of all, working hard, ensured Ryan O’Dwyer cut a satisfied figure at Croke Park on Saturday evening.

Having suffered a serious head injury last October O’Dwyer’s made a welcome return to Leinster Senior Hurling Championship action for Dublin during the facile win over Wexford.

“It's good to be back,” O’Dwyer admits. “I didn't come here with any expectations like 'oh I'll be starting or I'll come on'.

“Since I have come back training I've just been trying my best to contribute and to build the confidence of the lads around me.

“Just trying my best and if lads see you coming back from what I did come back from, to try your best, hopefully they'll feed off it. But it was great to get back on the pitch, it was like going out making my debut again.”

O’Dwyer was tested both physically and mentally.  “I've been back jogging since about the middle of February, but I've only been doing contact about a month now,” O’Dwyer said.

“At times I was ready to throw in the towel, but the support I had from my team-mates, like they'd be coming over for a water break and they'd be going 'that's it Ryan well done'. The support I've got off the management has just been phenomenal and I'm just happy to be involved with such a group of players.

“The doctors set targets for me and me being stubborn I set my own targets and I even exceeded them you know. I don't think any words can describe how I feel just to get back on the pitch, that was a goal for me and now just to go on from that.

“I just need to get sharp now, apart from the two club games that's the first bit of hurling I've had this year, so yeah, it's great to get back. I've hit a goal, but at the same time I'll reassess things and make other goals.”

A June 11 date at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise against reigning Leinster and All Ireland champions Kilkenny is next on the agenda for Dublin.

“Yeah, every year that's who everyone sets their standard against, it's going to be a massive task, but all we can do is give 100%, all we can do is look after ourselves.

“I'm sure if you talk to the public there'll be loads of talk 'Kilkenny this, Kilkenny that', but all we can do is look after ourselves.”  O’Dwyer’s stirring comeback is a significant boost.