Kerry's James O'Donoghue has been in superb form for his club Killarney Legion this year. He hit three goals for his side at the weekend to secure a semi-final place in the Kerry championship, where they will face Rathmore this Sunday.
But recurring problems with a shoulder injury has kept him on the sidelines at a number of training sessions and a rehab programme, coupled with strapping on his shoulder, is keeping him fit enough to play matches.
It is inevitable that the 2014 Footballer of the Year will require more surgery for the injury, but the question is when.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, O'Donoghue confessed that the ongoing issue is causing frustration:
Obviously I was hoping I'd have no more issues after the operation last year but that didn't go to plan. I think I can manage it fine. I'm sick of getting surgery but if it is the only way forward I'll have to do it but at the moment I haven't decided.
The final act for me with the shoulder will be surgery again whether it is this year or not. So do I get it this year or leave it off? I don't know, it depends on how I go in the next couple of weeks
O'Donoghue has struggled with shoulder pain since his days as a minor and the advice from the medical team is forcing him to thoroughly consider all of his options. He received surgical treatment last year after Legion were knocked out of the championship but because the club were still involved in a few competitions, O'Donoghue laments that 'few lads disappointed I didn't play on.'
If the Kerry talisman decides to go ahead with another procedure this year, he will be guaranteed a resting period of at least six months which is likely to rule him out of the league for Kerry next year.
At the moment, it's kind of 50-50 so there's nothing either way, we'll see how it pans out. In fairness I didn't do the club any favours last year because I decided to get the operation. So maybe this year I kind of owe it back to the club to battle on.
O'Donoghue concluded that Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice wants him to do what is best for his health and that a decision is likely to be made when the season is over for Killarney Legion.
