Ciaran Kilkenny says his six-week injury lay-off was a blessing in disguise.

The Dublin youngster has been sidelined from intercounty action since straining a medial knee ligament against Tyrone in March, but he says the rest has served to restore his enthusiasm for the game:

"It was nice to get a bit of a break because I have been on the go for the last two or three years, playing U21 football last year, hurling with the club, senior football and playing with the school," the Castleknock clubman told GAA.ie.

"Then going over to Australia, I didn't really get a break so in hindsight it was nice to get the break and be that bit fresher for the championship.

"I never really had that chance before. Having said that, being injured made me appreciate how much I love playing Gaelic football as well.

"When I came back I felt like I was a kid again, out kicking a ball 100 times because I could. You'd nearly run through a wall after being injured for so long.

"I've been back now for about three or four weeks. I played a game of football for the club and a game of hurling for the club and a bit of backs and forwards with the Dublin team so I'm feeling fresh.

"It healed itself. I just waited six weeks and then strengthened it up and it feels pretty good again." Tweet

Most Read Stories