Damien Comer says he's drawn a line under an injury-plagued 2024 as he looks ahead to the 2025 inter-county season.
The Annaghdown club-man endured a torrid spell with injuries this season, suffering setbacks that stopped him from building momentum.
Hamstring problems were the nub of the issue for the 30-year-old who detailed his terrible luck with injuries in a sit down interview with Paul Shaughnessy on the Maroon and White podcast.
Comer described the season as 'frustrating,' with his body breaking down continually, forcing him to sit out training and ultimately draining his confidence and ability to perform.
He spoke honestly about the mental challenge posed by repeated injuries, leaving him 'in bad form' off the field.
Unusually, Comer said both of his hamstrings caused problems at different stages throughout the year.
"Mentally, it was nearly worse," he said.
"You're trying to get your body right, doing all the work, then you break down again. You're back to square one. You feel like you're getting momentum after the Mayo game...but then you break down in the next game against Derry.
"Probably a bit sore after the Mayo game and maybe didn't manage it as well as I could have...your confidence goes again.
"You're back running the sideline, up in the gym...Just missed way too much training. That's basically it. Mentally it's a challenge, because you're trying to get right. That's why I just want to draw a line under last year."
Comer says that by the time it came to the All-Ireland final, he was expecting more out of himself than his 'body was able to give.'
"It's no good to anyone," he says.
"Most of the lads would be at the pinnacle of their fitness, training every day.
"You're training once in two weeks. You can't compete with other guys. You can compete as best you can but when you don't have the work done, it's very hard. Just a really, really frustrating year."
"My family would know. My girlfriend would know. You'd be in bad form. You put so much on hold to play and then when these niggles keep happening, you try to put them to the back of your mind.
"You want to be out on the pitch but it just doesn't happen. That's sport I'm afraid."
Comer has been playing for the Galway seniors since 2014, winning an All-Star in 2022. 2023 was also a frustrating year for Comer having been restricted by hamstring and knee injuries.
Listen to the full show here.
