Shefflin to hand over hurley and jersey to UL sports museum
GER Hartmann, hailed as the ‘miracle’ man after nursing hurling superstar Henry Shefflin back from injury, is ready to pack his bags to join up with U2 on their world tour-as band injuries therapist.
From there, it will be onto Monte Carlo, on the invitation of the International Olympic Committee, to address sports medical practitioners.
He told the Limerick Post: “It is not generally known that I worked with U2 in the past, but this will be the biggest gig of all.
“Earlier this year I spent time with them in the States in the making of a new film due to be released in 2010. They have a tough schedule ahead and invited me to ensure that fitness levels are maintained. They keep reminding me that it was in Limerick that they took their first step to stardom.
“It is well documented that Bono suffered a serious back injury on stage recently and their tour had to be curtailed….I will be there to offer advice should any such problems be encountered again”.
On Sunday, Hartmann will be at Croke Park for a final assessment of Shefflin and his team-mate john Tennyson, both of whom have been attending his clinic at UL.
Shefflin suffered a cruciate ligament injury against Cork and it was reported he would be out of action for eight months, missing out on the opportunity to win a record-breaking fifth successive All-Ireland medal.
Kilkenny looked to Hartmann for a cure-and he came up with the answers.
“I focussed on strengthening the knee’s other ligaments…. if they are healthy they will support the torn ligament.
An appreciative Shefflin promised Hartmann that win or lose on Sunday, he will present him with both his jersey and hurley for his sports museum at the university.
Upwards of 8,000 disbelieving Kilkenny fans witnessed the hitherto ‘no hopeful’ Shefflin play his part in a full training session last Monday.
Back to Ger: “I will be playing it in low key at Croke Park, watching from close to the dressingroom.
“I am in something of a Catch-22. Tipperary’s Lar Corbett and Eoin Kelly are regulars at my clinic. This is the first time I have worked with Kilkenny”.
Recently, he set up a clinic in Kenya to facilitate the multitude of African athletes under his wing.
