To be back playing Test rugby six months after a serious ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury is, by any measure, an impressively fast recovery by Dan Sheehan.
The Ireland hooker suffered the injury during the tour to South Africa last summer and played his first match in six months for Leinster against the Stormers a few weeks ago.
A signature try against England in his first Test match return last weekend indicated to the 50,000 crowd and Lions coach Andy Farrell that Sheehan was back, and more sizzling than undercooked after the long lay-off.
On Wednesday after training at the High Performance Centre at Sport Ireland, Sheehan was back in the bosom of a competitive Irish squad once more.
To help get him there, he dovetailed with former professional and Olympic boxer from the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Cathal O’Grady.
It is not the first time boxing and rugby have partnered up. Gary Keegan, who was in Quinta do Lago working with the Irish squad before the Six Nations championship, is a former director of the Irish Institute of Sport and high-performance director for Irish boxing’s elite programme.
“He’s been brilliant for me,” says Sheehan. “I did boxing with him in Harold’s Cross every week for a good chunk of the rehab period. [Physiotherapist] Emma Gallivan used to work in the boxing sort of circle, so got in touch with him.
“He was just excellent to get the fitness and stuff but mainly the footwork – while being distracted by the big hitters. It definitely helped my footwork and in getting me a bit of bounce.”
O’Grady was an Irish heavyweight champion from Kildare, a southpaw who fought in 18 professional fights, winning 13 by KO and losing two. He lost his first Olympic bout in the Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta to New Zealand heavyweight Garth da Silva but remains active in the Irish boxing scene.
“One of the big things with the ACL is trying to get your power output back and reactive strength,” says Sheehan.
“To have boxing as a form of distraction, why you’re moving, how important footwork is in boxing and skipping. It’s actually become a big part of my daily routine now, skipping. It’s been a massive factor of getting me back and making me feel confident.”
Damage to confidence is a companion of almost every serious physical injury. Being in rehab is the great demoraliser in sport. Thinking time, it brings to the surface fears of reoccurrence, of not performing, of losing position. It creates doubts about natural swelling and normal pain. The possibility of a setback sits there ever present.
Believing the physiotherapist’s urging to increase the loads and intensify the work is relearning to walk. Nervous first steps and all of the chronic apprehension that goes with it.
Scoring a try last Saturday against England was the cat getting the cream. But playing Test match rugby as sharply as Sheehan did was the overarching triumph.
“I was actually rooming with Josh [van der Flier] in South Africa when it happened,” he says. “He chatted to me. He had a big return from his ACL years ago. People around the building I did chat to a little bit. I didn’t want to get stuck in the mindset of trying to do everything.
“I had to figure things out for myself. I think people can sometimes get stuck in having to do all these new tricks . . . it might work for someone, and it doesn’t work for me, that sort of stuff. I kind of left it to the physio team to gather the knowledge.
“Definitely the way I have been able to perform in the last few weeks has given me confidence that there is nothing wrong with me any more and I can go on.
“It’s nice being back in the room with the lads and being back involved in those big games, feeling those nerves and that anxiety. It was nice to feel again, nice to know I can add value to a team still. Nothing is restricting me any more and it’s not in my head at all.”
The next battle is with Rónan Kelleher and, as Ireland are blessed to have two of the best hookers in the world, the scramble for the number two shirt makes for searing competition.
Sheehan will have to watch his loads in just his third match back. In possession of the jersey before injury, he will likely be given an opportunity to cause havoc against Scotland. The dynamic part of his play was visible against England, his ability in space, handing the ball and the threat he holds in a game where the role of hooker has greatly broadened over the years.
“I like to think that I can see the game quite well and see opportunities that unfold,” he says. “A big part of the game that we talk about is seeing the picture in front of you, being able to pick the right option in that moment.
“It all comes down to the finer skills. I was able to do a good bit of slowed-down skills during my rehab process, even decision-making or stuff at the line. That was something that I didn’t really lose.”
So, it seems, Sheehan again punching his weight.
