After 10 months on the sidelines, it’s no wonder Sean Kavanagh wants to drag a shortened season out for as long as possible.
The Shamrock Rovers star carried a knock into last November’s FAI Cup final win over Dundalk but it didn’t stop him playing.
Yet the problem flared up and proved to be more serious than envisaged and, after surgery, he only returned as a sub against AC Milan last week.
Kavanagh said: “I was fully recovered from the surgery a few weeks ago but had a couple of setbacks but I’m delighted to be back as it was a long time out.”
At times he felt there was no light at the end of the tunnel but now he wants to play his part in a title win.
Kavanagh continued: “The first couple of months were hard and I couldn't drive. I was in a brace and couldn't walk.
“I was on crutches and couldn't even get up in the morning or bring my son to school. It was tough but I’m happy to be back and hopefully the hard work has paid off.”
But in his absence, both Neil Farrugia and Danny Lafferty have flourished for the Hoops in that left wing-back role.
Kavanagh, who came on in Monday’s 6-1 romp over Waterford, knows he has a fight on his hands with just six league games and an FAI Cup defence to go.
“It was a long time out,” he said. “I was getting back and running, passing the ball and nearly back in the team but I'd break down somewhere else, it was frustrating.
“The team went up a level when I was out and Danny and Neil have been great so it’s up to me to push them. It’s on my shoulders.”
Kavanagh continued: “I was out for a long time and to come back against a team of AC Milan’s stature was unbelievable.
“I was delighted to get 10 minutes and one day in the future I might look back and say ‘I played against AC Milan’ - no one can take that away from me.
“It's a shame there's only six league games left but hopefully we can go all the way and drag the season out as long as we can.”
Rovers can take another big step towards the title when they face reigning champions Dundalk at Oriel Park on Sunday.
But Kavanagh warned: “Bohs are going well and Dundalk are picking up form so we can't take our foot off the gas.”
