Michael Rice never contemplated giving in to his horrific hand injury.

The All Star midfielder had his hand badly smashed against Tipperary in last year's All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park and subsequently missed out on the All-Ireland final(s).

There were also suggestions that his career might be over due to the severity of the injury but Rice has eased his way back into things and was back in full swing on Sunday as the Cats toppled the Premier County in the league decider:

"Yeah, I heard a few different rumours that I was finished all right," the Carrickshock clubman admits in The Irish Examiner.

"The last few matches and playing the league semi-final and final were great for me just as a boost in confidence.

"Two months ago, I was full sure I was going to drive on with this anyway, even though people were saying different things. But I was more than happy to be driving on with it.

"Initially, I didn't think it was too bad, but obviously I found out the full extent of it. It was a long old road but I got great support from family and friends and that.

"In one way, missing the club last year was tough, but then for two months there was nothing going on anyway so it wasn't the worst thing in the world and I could do my own thing, training and running.

"When the matches came this year you wanted to get back and wanted to get out there. When matches are going on and you're not involved that's the toughest part." Tweet

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