Tipperary hurler John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer attended the launch where Allianz's five year extension partnership with the GAA was announced.
By Cian O'Connell
Classy Tipperary forward John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer is ready for Allianz Hurling League action.
At the start of the month O'Dwyer was stretchered off against Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but the Killenaule clubman is fully fit again.
O'Dwyer missed Tipperary's win over Westmeath following a minor ankle procedure, but hopes to play in the remaining rounds of the competition.
"Against Cork it was more precautionary than anything," O'Dwyer explains.
"I was actually scheduled to play against Galway two weeks after, but it was called off. I got a little procedure done on my ankle last week, a top up on the operation from last year so I missed the weekend. I'm back training now so all is good."
Despite the worrying incident Leeside, O'Dwyer praised the Tipperary and Cork medical teams for their attention.
John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer suffered an injury playing for Tipperary against Cork on February 1.
"The protocols are nearly the same for every sport, you just go through the questions," O'Dwyer states.
"If they feel you haven't passed the questions enough you go inside then to do further tests, like a memory test. I didn't even have to do that. I've got concussions before. The protocol around concussion, especially in our group, is top notch. There is never any doubt from the doctor, if he feels you are in any way incapable he will whip you out.
"I think it was just the way I landed more than anything else. I didn't really lose consciousness, I felt a bit numb because I came down so hard, I lost feeling in my arm.
"That was about it, there was nothing major. I said it to the lads when I was lying on the pitch, 'I'm perfectly fine'.
"The first thing I said was that my helmet broke. That is all I was worried about. It was just precaution by our doctor and by the Cork medical team, who were good enough to come in, to give a hand. It was precaution more than anything."
Eoin Kelly's addition as a Tipperary selector was a talking point during the winter with O'Dwyer delighted that the Mullinahone stalwart is involved.
John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer in action during the 2019 All Ireland SHC Final.
"I spent two years playing with Eoin," O'Dwyer recalls. "It was always an honour. Eoin and myself live 10 kilometres away from each other, we are huge rival clubs against each other, but Eoin has always been a friend of mine. He was best friends with my brother growing up. He was in my house most days after school. To have him back in the coaching set up...if Eoin talks you listen.
"The wealth of knowledge he has, being one of the greatest hurlers of all time is something that you listen to. You hear Seamie (Callanan) too, Seamie always goes on about that, just listen to him. For the likes of me, I'm a good bit older than the rest of them, but these 20 and 21 year olds to be able to listen to Eoin Kelly coming into training is invaluable."
Nuggets of advice and encouragement are provided by Kelly.
"He would have gone through a lot of stuff with us," O'Dwyer adds. "But the first thing he always says is that everyone’s technique is different.
"He just tried to explain that his technique changed over the years for injuries and stuff like this.
"Whatever about from frees, but from open play as well, just small little things that he might give you a bit of advice on and they’re invaluable. "They’re the things, it might be an extra point or an extra pass in a game, and it might be valuable."
