Back with a bang.
Shane Dowling has been out of action since October.
The Na Piarsaigh sharpshooter suffered a knee ligament injury in the Limerick senior hurling final against Kilmallock, and he hadn’t played since.
The 24-year-old made his return to the fray in the second half of his club’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final against Ulster champions Slaughtneil on Saturday.
There were rumours that he would start the game, but as it turned out, manager Shane O’Neill opted to leave him on the bench.
With Shane O’Neill’s men struggling and down to 13 men, they called on their man.
Slaughtneil will be kicking themselves and their high wide count, but the Limerick side showed the spirt of champions https://t.co/RpwGfcUVb3
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) February 10, 2018
A couple of minutes after his introduction, Dowling had already made his presence felt.
Easing himself back from injury? Not a hope of it.
The big, burly full forward made an improbable and impressive block on an admittedly sluggish Slaughtneil goalkeeper.
He flicked the ball beautifully over the encroaching Slaughtneil defender with a dinky flick of those Rolex wrists of his.
With the sliotar dropping down, Dowling met it in mid-air with a vivacious swipe.
Bang, back of the net.
Shane Dowling announces his return from injury with a cracking goal! pic.twitter.com/8Ji7aSJHDQ
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 10, 2018
They went on to win by 8.
Former Clare hurler Darach Honan was impressed.
https://twitter.com/TheDuck90/status/962344252020752384
Antrim hurler Ciaran Mac Seain also enjoyed it.
https://twitter.com/CGJ1994/status/962344015311065088
As did Laois hurler Mark Kavanagh.
Hands down best goal I’ve ever seen! #ShaneDowling
— Mark Kavanagh (@Mark_kav7) February 10, 2018
While Tipperary footballer Josh Keane has never seen a better goal.
https://twitter.com/keanejosh16/status/962343901200879616
While Fermanagh footballer Daniel Teague is no football snob.
Magic from Shane Dowling. That’s hurling.
— Daniel Teague (@danny_teague) February 10, 2018
