Dan Currams; a hurler, a Kilcormac-Killoughey man, a survivor.
The Gods of hurling didn’t want Dan Currams to line out for his parish in the 2017 Offaly hurling final. He turned around and gave the Gods of hurling the two fingers. In doing so, he probably had to give his club physio them, as well.
He already had three county titles to his and his club’s name. He wanted another one.
Because Currams broke his leg on 2 September. The lively forward was playing for the club in a challenge match when he suffered a broken fibula bone in his left leg. 29 days later, On 1 October, he came on as a sub to score three points and fire Kilcormac-Killoughey to their fourth county final win since 2012, their fourth county final win ever.
Three points was the difference on the day. Currams was the difference on the day. That performance was brewed out of way more than just a day.
His leg was strapped up, he wasn’t to be stopped.
Incredible, but not impossible because of some iron will on Currams’ behalf, because of his own freakish mental toughness, because of his refusal to accept logic.
That man wasn’t taking no for an answer. He’s well aware of the uncertainties of sport. He wasn’t prepared to take a chance that he might never get to play in a Faithful county decider again, that he might never get to represent his club in Leinster again.
The most incredible thing about Dan Currams is, however, that he talks about his 2017 journey as if it was standard procedure. As if any man could have done it.
GAA players are famed for their passion, but few could match this display.
Most physios recommend at least three months recovery time for such injuries. The hardy Offaly attacker took less than one. His physio must have been fretting.
“I don’t think he fully believed,” said Currams at the AIB Leinster final day.
Dan Currams' Kilcormac Killoghey will be contesting their first Leinster final since the 2014-15 season this Sunday, and will claim their first title since 2012 if they get past the Dublin champions. #GAA #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/cmtZvLH3xa
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) November 29, 2017
“It was only the Wednesday night before that I found out I might have a chance of playing. It was a bit of a rushed job but look it all worked out,” added the distinguished attacker.
Inspiration came from Jackie Tyrrell. It infested within.
“I was just reading his book (The Warrior’s Code) one night and when he got injured, he used to go and get it rubbed out every day.
“That just sort of sparked it off one night when I was reading. I texted the physio then. (I had) Nothing to lose and from there I just got it in my head, did everything I could,” added Currams.
He went to some fierce lengths. He pushed his body to the limits. He did it for his club, he did it for his teammates, he did it for his own love of the small ball.
“I think that’s just what’s so special about the GAA. You do see these lads pushing the boundaries a small bit. It just means that bit more when it’s your club.
“The people you grew up with, your friends, your family. Look it’s just the GAA has this hold on you when you’re playing. You go that extra mile to tog out for your club,” he added.
https://twitter.com/OffalyGaaPix/status/933335918617952256
” I suppose you never know, it could be the last time you play in Leinster. You don’t know, you never know when is your last day out. So, obviously you have to make the best of it and give it everything you can,” he added.
“This is why you hurl. This is why you train against the best teams. This is what you want to hurl for. Days like this the Leinster final is why you want to be playing,” he says.
Dan Currams of Kilcormac Killoghey is pictured ahead of the AIB GAA Leinster Senior Hurling Club Championship Final on Sunday, December 3rd. For exclusive content and behind the scenes action throughout the AIB GAA & Camogie Club Championships follow AIB GAA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
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