Sherry Looking Ahead

Munster hooker Mike Sherry chats about his long road to recovery following a knee and three shoulder surgeries that have seen him side-lined since November 2013.

The thought of relishing pre-season might seem strange to some, but to an international hooker deprived of competitive game time for such an extended period, the burn of lung busting sessions both on the pitch and in the gym is a welcome sensation.

“I was on my own for long enough so it’s great to be back with the squad, and not be on my own running on the side line while the lads are training.

“Pre-season is tough, some days it is horrendous, but it’s nothing in comparison to sitting around and wondering what you are going to do with your life at 25, 26, if rugby was to be taken away. In that context, getting through a tough pre-season session is not that much of a big deal.”

With a recurring shoulder problem curtailing his return for so long, one can easily forget it was a cruciate ligament injury – sustained against Newport Gwent Dragons in November 2013 – that originally side-lined the Garryowen clubman.

“About two days after the initial injury against Dragons I found out the full extent of it. At the start I was very down about it but then I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get my shoulder operated on – it had been at me for a good few years. Unfortunately that didn’t turn out as planned. Eight months down the line we realised that the first surgery didn’t work, and neither did the second. At that stage I went to London and thankfully the third operation seems to have done the job, but of course playing a match will be the real test.”

Coupled with the physical pain, the injury would also take a huge mental toll on the now 27 year old.

“I did think the shoulder would be career threatening at times, especially when I was told where it needed to be at certain stages and it was nowhere near that. I knew myself, I was going for very basic rehab sessions and grimacing in agony, trying to convince myself it was ok. I’d stay up all night moving my shoulder around, trying to see what was comfortable and nothing was.

“I was motivated throughout but some days it was hard going, thinking I was fighting a losing battle. Mentally it was torture, I probably suffered from some sort of sleep deprivation – I couldn’t shut off from the injury, I was constantly feeling and worrying about these pains and sensations in my shoulder that I knew weren’t normal.”

In coping with his injury setback, Mike sought council from sports psychologist Tadgh MacIntyre and set himself a number of targets outside of rugby.

“Eventually I went and spoke to someone. I’m a very proud stubborn fella and probably thought I could just get through it myself, but in the end I did meet Tadgh and he gave me a few techniques to shut off at night. He was very helpful, as was chatting to my girlfriend and family – it all helped me get through a difficult time.

“I set myself the goal of finishing my college degree and now have just one module to finish, and I got myself two dogs that have me run off my feet!”

One man who could empathise with Sherry’s situation was fellow hooker and good friend Damien Varley who himself was forced to retire from the game in February due to a foot injury.

“He was a great help to me. Being injured at the same time we would get in early and do our physio and rehab together. In our spare time we would meet for chats, trying to reassure each other and talk things through, things that were going through our heads at the time.

“Obviously it is unfortunate that he didn’t win the battle, but he is a very smart guy and he will go far in whatever he chooses to do.”

Mike continues to progress steadily towards full match fitness and is hopeful for what lies ahead in the coming season.

“Thankfully now I’m feeling good and fit, getting closer to taking on full contact and scrummaging which will come later in preseason. Obviously playing a match will be a shock to the system after the bones of 20 months, but that will be the real test.

“For now, just being around the squad, being busy and being on a normal schedule is great, and not getting the injured player schedule on a Sunday night is quite a relief!”