KELLYANN DOYLE believes her drive has helped her through her cruciate hell.
Doyle has suffered the injury on three separate occasions in 2017, 2020 and 2022.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Very Camogie Leagues[/caption]
And after fighting back each time, the three-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny has been named vice-captain by boss Tommy Shefflin.
The Piltown ace told SunSport: “You have to be resilient if you want to get back and each time was a different road to recovery.
“They say everyone’s road is different but when you do it a few times you realise not all recovery goes the same.
“It’s always been a driving force for me to get back on the pitch with the club and Kilkenny.
“You want to be part of it for as long as you can. It has always driven me on.”
The winds of change have swept through the Kilkenny dressing room as Grace and Miriam Walsh retired from inter-county camogie.
Shefflin — brother of Cats icon Henry — has taken over the reins after leading Doyle’s beloved Piltown to county championship glory last year.
And Doyle is hoping for more of the same with her county this year.
Their league campaign begins this afternoon against Galway — though their eyes are set on toppling All-Ireland queens Cork.
Doyle said: “Galway are a big challenge for us this weekend to know where we are for the year.
“They set the bar last year with Cork and we want to get back to that standard.
“Grace and Miriam were massive characters on and off the pitch.
“They were both there when I started playing with the county.
“Their drive and love for it sums up Kilkenny camogie in one way.
“Experienced players leave teams but you always have younger ones that are there, enthusiastic and they are looking forward to stepping up to the challenge.
“We have big names that have stepped away but there’s plenty of youth around in Kilkenny that are chomping at the bit to try and get their hands on a jersey.
“I think the drive is there and there’s a few girls that are on the panel this year who have never tasted that.
“It would be nice for them to experience it as well along with a few of the older ones who have one or two already.
“Once you’ve tasted that success and lived it, you’re always chasing another and hoping another will come. The drive is always there.”
