Cork corner-forward Alan Cadogan showed incredible resilience to return to the panel for the Rebels All-Ireland semi-final with Limerick on Sunday.
Cadogan was said to be ruled out for the remainder of the intercounty season after undergoing knee surgery in May but he was seen kitted out in playing gear at Croke Park on Sunday.
Cadogan has not played for Cork since their three-point loss to Tipperary in the final game of the National Hurling League.
Potential for an @Acadogan15 comeback today 👀 #juicy
— Niall Scannell (@N_Scannell222) July 29, 2018
Alan Cadogan looks to be warming up for Cork, wearing number 27.
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) July 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/henrymartin1/status/1023569996868411392
Number 27 looks like Alan Cadogan! pic.twitter.com/F9R2S7Y33T
— Barry O'Sullivan (@siliconbarry) July 29, 2018
The 25-year-old told the GAA Hour last month that he isolated himself from the Cork squad during his recovery and added that the first couple of weeks of rehabilitation is the hardest part of the entire process.
“I’m on a strength programme at the moment, kind of isolated from the group a little while they’re preparing for a Munster final on Sunday,” said Cadogan.
“Anyone who gets an injury will tell you it’s a lonely place. You’ve two choices, you either don’t do the rehab and you won’t come back stronger or you get on with it and you put yourself in the best possible position to get back as soon as you can.
“The first couple of weeks are the hardest. Watching the lads play Clare the first day and then Tipperary, you’re playing every ball. It’s easier play the game than watch it.
“You feel useless, but once you come to terms with reality you just leave the injury run its course and then you get on with the rehab.
“There are a lot of lads in worse places than I am. An injury is difficult but there are a lot more worse off fellas than me out there at the moment.”