Charly Shanks was on the brink of pulling out of this weekend's O'Neill's All-Ireland singles 40x20 semi-finals because of a shoulder injury but a mid-week visit to his physio cleared the air.
“The damage was a bit more than a strain,” explained the Armagh man.
“I wasn't hopeful of being able to play in the semis but, after attending the physio, he gave me good news that I could play.
“He told me that the damage was only tightness in the shoulder, a bit inflamed, and it should be cleared by the weekend.
“It was, probably, a case of over-use of the limb. My swing was not as it should be but, hopefully, it will be OK on Saturday.”
Shanks is due to clash with defending champion Robbie McCarthy, a tough test any time. Any damage doesn't help when facing the Mullingar man.
“We met in three previous All-Ireland finals and I won one of them but it should have been two. He won the Irish Nationals, a few weeks ago so his form is good.
“However, I will give it a lash and see what happens,” promises recently crowned Ulster champion Shanks.
“I am looking forward to the game. I enjoy playing handball but it is not number one with me at present. There is work and family to be considered first but if the pain stays out of my shoulder I should be OK.
“I have got to be realistic. These injuries come with age but we will see how it goes.
“There may not be too many more chances of winning the Irish Chanmpionship,” reflected Charly, the recent winner of the UGAAWA's last annual handball award, who will be 37 next month.
The other men's semi-final should also be a cracker with Martin Mulkerrins and Diarmuid Nash clashing. Banner battler Nash is the only one of the four semi-finalists who hasn't yet won the title but he did play in two previous finals. It could be third time lucky for him but Mulkerrins has been in tremendous form recently and must be favourite.
The draw is strong in the women's semis with Catriona Casey defending the title and facing old rival Aisling Reilly while Martina McMahon must be favourite to outshot Fiona Tully but laying a wager on the other battle wouldn’t make much sense.
Casey and Reilly are great rivals from the past.
Back in 2015, Belfast girl Reilly was World and Irish champion and when they clashed for the 2016 Irish title Casey stripped the holder of the crown.
Since then injury has halted Reilly's progress but shoulder surgery has repaired the damage and the St Paul’s player is slowly wending towards her best again.
In the past, the clashes of the Cork and Antrim girls were legendary but things change. Casey has been competing successfully at home and abroad and, presently, her clashes with McMahon have hit the headlines.
Time will tell if the Munster pair reach the final at Kingscourt in a fortnight's time. The seeding says they will.
O'Neill's All-Ireland Championships Semi-finals at Kingscourt
Today – Men: R McCarthy (Westmeath) v C Shanks (Armagh); M Mulkerrins (Galway) v D Nash (Clare).
Women – M McMahon (Limerick) v F Tully (Roscommon); C Casey (Cork) v A Reilly (Antrim).
