Danielle Morrissey looking to put injury issues behind her in quest for All-Ireland glory

Despite being only 24 years of age, Conahy Shamrocks star Danielle Morrissey is one of the most experienced players on the current Kilkenny Intermediate squad.

The midfielder has already won National League and All-Ireland titles with the senior team but she’s had something to prove this year after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in June of 2023.

Morrissey was with the senior squad at the time and it was a big blow but she’s bounced back in style over recent months.

“The day we played Antrim in Nowlan Park was a year on from my surgery and it was a tough year but that’s expected as anyone who does their ACL knows what’s involved.

“I wanted to get back playing camogie and that’s what I did and I’ve just counted my blessings every time I’ve came off the field knowing I’m fully fit and not carrying any knocks.”

Morrissey was only getting back into the swing of things at the start of this inter-county year and she acknowledges that it was a conscious decision to stay with the Intermediates and try and work herself back into full fitness.

“I knew myself that I wanted to come back and play Intermediate and there was a decision but I knew myself that I really wanted to come back and play with the girls just the way last year went and get some game time into the legs.

“When I knew I was coming back I wasn’t sure what way I’d be performing and what my form would be like and my friends are all playing here so I’m happy with my decision now”, she continued.

The versatile Kilkenny player admits that it was tough coming back but that she had great support from a number of her teammates.

“Miriam Walsh had only done her own ACL a couple of months before me and it was a great help to have her there and ask questions while I would have got good advice off Kellyanne and Aoife Doyle aswell.

“At the end of the day it is an individual journey and you have to put the work in yourself but I had great support as David Butler our strength and conditioning coach gave me the use of his gym all year and all our physios were great when I needed anything so it was a big effort to get back onto the pitch.”

Now back in an All-Ireland final, Morrissey feels like she’s getting back to where she was before the injury and is looking forward to this weekend.

“I feel like I’m nearly the fittest I’ve ever been but there’s always room for improvement in different aspects of my game.

“I feel really good at the moment and touch wood I can stay injury free before we get to Croke Park.”

The Pfizer employee wlll no doubt have ambitions of playing with the senior team once again but for now all eyes are on Sunday where her experience will be a big asset to the team.

“I’ve been playing county camogie since I’m 17 so I have built up a good degree of experience that I can pass on to some of the younger girls.

“I know what it’s like to win on the biggest day but I also know what it’s like to lose so it’s just about bringing the girls on and telling them that if they put in the work that they will reap the rewards.

“The young girls are mad to be here and it’s great to be able to share these experiences with them.”