Shanahan speaks of injury woe
by Arthur Sullivan, 12 October 2008
Former Hurler of the Year Dan Shanahan says he doesn't know if he will play for Waterford next year as he is still battling a sciatic nerve problem.
Shanahan had a patchy year in 2008 despite the Déise getting to the All-Ireland final but he blames the injury for his lack of form.
"One minute you could be grand and the next minute the nerve could go on you," he said.
"I was always on the treatment table whereas in previous years I wasn't. It annoyed me more than anything else. At the moment, it's gone but it could come back tomorrow.
"I'm not a man for making excuses, so for the good of the team I soldiered on and did my best. I could name great hurlers who had great years and then suffered the following year," he added.
Shanahan also bemoans 'second-season syndrome' and a change in tactics which affected his natural game.
"Second season syndrome is difficult to shake off because you're expected to do it all over again.
"I got fairly fit when Davy (Fitzgerald) came in and I had to sacrifice my own game for the benefit of some of the other lads.
"I had to play further out the field than usual but they were the tactics that Davy used and he's the manager. You have to respect that."
With Waterford drawn to play Justin McCarthy's Limerick in the first round of next year's Munster championship and Shanahan and Co due to come face to face with the man they ousted at the start of the season, the forward has words of praise.
"I'm not surprised at all that Justin's back. He's a fantastic coach and I wish him the best of luck," he said.