Limerick forward Shane Dowling retired from inter-county hurling on Thursday due to injury.
The All-Ireland winner joined OTB AM on Friday morning to discuss the knee injury that influenced his decision, the shock of being forced into early retirement and the mental battles he has faced since coming to the realisation that his Limerick playing days are behind him.
"I spoke to different professionals, I spoke to friends and I spoke to myself that was a big conversation to have with myself," Dowling said.
I can’t believe I have to do this, but I have some memories! 💚💚 pic.twitter.com/cXfqUNY2ru
— Shane Dowling (@dowlerznap) July 2, 2020
It is extremely tough to deal with an injury on a personal level, but trying to contain the news getting into the public sphere, before he had the opportunity to reveal the injury to those close to him was exceptionally hard for the Limerick man.
Telling his parents was also particularly upsetting.
"Even before I'd a word spoke I broke down."
Another one of the people who struggled with the news was manager John Kiely, who Dowling has worked with for a number of years, and the pair have a strong relationship as a result.
Kiely was predictably upset when Dowling met with him at home to share the news.
"It doesn't sit well with him, it's very upsetting that a 27-year- old has to do this. I know John for a long time. I've worked with him for a long time, so yes he was upset without a shadow of a doubt," Dowling said.
For years Dowling struggled with pain in his knee but made the best of the situation regardless, playing through the discomfort for Limerick and his club side Na Piarsaigh, which is a remarkable feat.
Eventually, he would have to begin having the internal conversations that would allow the thoughts of stepping back from inter-county hurling to fully form.
"You start thinking back on everything down through the years since you were a kid, and all the hurling that you've done, and on the lads that you've met, and the memories you have created, and that is quite sad," he said.
While Dowling has struggled with his knee since 2017, complications from surgery last month ended any hope of continuing a career with the Treaty County.
Even though the thoughts of no longer representing Limerick were hard to process, Dowling is particularly proud of all the times he was able to pull on the green jersey and represent his county.
"I want to ensure that this doesn't become about my knee injury, yes it's very difficult, it's very sad and I'm genuinely heartbroken I'm not going to say otherwise but I'm extremely lucky to have the career that I've had, to have played with the people I've played with and to have won what I've won."
Helping Limerick end their wait for an All-Ireland senior hurling championship will live long in the history of the sport, and will undoubtedly be a highlight of Dowling's career.
The success that Limerick has had in recent years, and the bright future they could have, do not factor into Dowling's thoughts at this time, rather he was adamant that he will just miss playing the game that he loves the most.
While the future is unclear, there is a slight hope he may be able to continue his club career, although the forward is not contemplating that at the moment.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
