FORMER MEATH CAPTAIN Kevin Reilly has retired from inter-county football at the age of 29, a decision forced on him by “persistent and serious injury.”
The Navan O’Mahony’s defender, who won the Leinster title with the Royals in 2010, has been battling a severe hip problem for almost 16 months.
“This one I just cannot come back from,” Reilly said in a lengthy statement issued through the Gaelic Players Association.
Three surgeries, my back, hip and Achilles tendon, bulging discs, frequent hamstring, quad and hip flexor tears, broken arm, foot, nose, fingers and vertebrae, chronic tendonitis and cartilage damage in knees, shoulders and Achilles tendons have all taken their toll on my body, but it has been the hip injury I suffered in the Leinster final of 2014 that has brought my career to a premature end.
Scans on the injury subsequently revealed a grade two tear in Reilly’s hip flexor as well as a labral cartilage tear and chronic joint degeneration.
“In the following weeks I met with two hip specialists who both agreed that my time playing inter-county football was coming to an end,” he explained.
“The first guy asked ‘How long are you playing football?’ and then followed it up with ‘You won’t be playing for much longer.’
I immediately requested a second opinion. They both recommended surgery to repair the injury as much as possible and confirmed that I will need a full hip replacement in the next 5-10 years. My world had been turned upside down and inside out all in the space of two minutes.
“Here I was, Meath captain at the time, facing the distinct possibility of never donning the green and gold again. Not to mention the impact it would have on my professional career as a PE teacher. I set out on a journey into the unknown.”
Reilly underwent surgery last October and then an extended period of rehab — “eight months of torture” – before returning to feature in the Royals’ league and championship campaigns.
“This time however, after putting in huge amounts of time, energy, blood, sweat and tears I knew I wasn’t near where I wanted to be in terms of rehabilitation or fitness.
“I played a game in Newry against Down towards the end of the league. I played at wing-forward as it was one of the only positions that allowed me to be on the pitch without over aggravating it through twisting and turning demands of other positions or so I thought, but at half time I had to come off and was barely able to walk to the bus afterwards.
“I spent the next two weeks hobbling around getting treatment only to start to feel a little better then the cycle would start again! That’s not good!
“Constant pain, worry, rehab, set back after setback, and the demands of inter-county football led me to the decision to hang up my boots. I knew that was that for me.
I made a commitment to myself to see out the campaign and contribute where I could. I’d do anything to be fit and healthy to give more to the Meath cause, just my body won’t let me.
Reilly, who intends to continue playing club football for as long as fitness allows, thanked all of those who gave him his inter-county opportunity.
He said: “I loved every minute in the Green and Gold Meath jersey. The pride and satisfaction I got from wearing the number jersey was unrivalled.
“All be it an unfruitful career in terms of medals won, I look back fondly on the opportunity Meath GAA has given me.”
Looks like Barca will run away from the league
@Jordo: with the league even
@Jordo: or from
Watched this and the level of football was incredible, the movement and passing was breath-taking, how did La Liga get this good? And I still don’t quite know what to make of Marcelo; he’s such a cheating pric* but he plays the game with such verve and energy and some of the flicks and stuff he does is outrageous for a full back.
@Noel Ryan: where have you been for the last 25 years. Spain has always been the league for high level football. Well, ever since Serie A started to slide in the 2000’s
Poor Ronaldo fanatics. It’s over. And Messi wins next year’s ballon d’or. And captains Argentina to world cup glory, thus cementing his place as the GOAT !!
@Is mise muc gránna: you’re the first one to bring in Ronaldo into the discussion Marcus. If it’s not Mourinho you’re having a go at then it’s Ronaldo. Do you not like Portuguese people or what’s your beef?
@Sloop John G: he’s only 7 years old sloop. He still says brillo for fcuk sakes
Toothless stuff from both teams
Stupid article…. It’s November….. N-O-V-E-M-B-E-R.
@Graham: T-E-N P-O-I-N-T-S though, even in November 10 points is an awful lot to claw back in that league. especially with the patchy form both Madrid sides have shown thus far, and Valencia are obviously closer to Barca but won’t keep that form up. Not saying the league is over myself, but it’s definitely worth having a conversation about it, therefore validating the article.
@Brian: Barcelona have not played the top guys yet. 10 points is big, but very catchable…. 4 draws is 8 points dropped…. up to others to take advantage…..
@Brian: if article said something other than being out of the race….
@Graham: Barca played Atletico away and got the same result as Real. They play Valencia away next, that could reel them back in but if they beat the 2nd placed side emphatically expect this kind of conversation to heighten.
@Brian: of course. If Barcelona put away the close rivals, it’s a different story, but right now, too early I think.