Dotsy takes first steps on road back to full fitness

Dublin hurler David O'Callaghan hopes to put his injury nightmare behind him and resume playing with the Dubs in 2017.

This year the experienced hurler's summer was cut short with a back injury that necessitated surgery.

Six weeks ago he underwent surgery - a microdiscectomy - an has just started taking the first small steps on the road to what is hoped will be a full recovery.

“It happened during the summer here - the lower back just spasmed up against Wexford,” he explained at the launch of the Bord na Móna Leinster GAA series.

“I managed to get through the Kilkenny game and then a day or two later I was in Santry Sports Clinic, not comfortable even sitting or walking around. The nerve had been highly compressed by a disc.”

This forced Dotsy out of contention for the Championship clash against Cork.

“I got the op six weeks ago and was back in with the surgeon last week; it’s gone well but there’s still symptoms,” he admitted. “I’ve been unable to do much up until this point.

“Being honest with you, I had kind of built up last year to be my last year playing and I had put in a big effort. The fact that I haven’t got to play any hurling for the last six months - you can’t help the appetite building again. Even looking at Cuala, it was very refreshing."