Galway's Comer hopeful injury woes are behind him
GALWAY have struggled to get Damien Comer on the field as much as they wanted over the past few seasons due to injury. Comer missed all of the National Football League this season and has only made appearances off the bench against Roscommon, Kildare and Westmeath in this year’s championship. The Annaghdown clubman’s last start for Galway came in the 2024 All-Ireland final against Armagh.
“It’s been a rough few years; thankfully, I’m getting a bit of a run at it this year. My role has changed in the team. As you get older, these things happen, I’m just happy to contribute in whatever way is possible. That being getting whatever minutes off the bench, it’s working so far, it’s probably what I’m good for,” Comer told Tribune Sport.
The Galway attacker has contributed 1-3 from the bench, and given his injury history, it appears likely that Comer could continue in a similar impact-sub role as the championship progresses.
“It’s more so that’s the way it has worked out, just with certain injuries and not having the bank of work done playing 70 minutes might never be a reality. Then you’re looking forward to the next weekend if you want to be available for the next game playing 70 minutes mightn’t be the smartest option. That’s between the management team, the physios and stuff, we’ll just manage it as best as possible and see what’s best for the team.”
His return from injury has got Galway fans excited and his ability to bring other players into the game along with his scoring ability will provide the Tribesmen’s quarter-final opponents with headaches.
Connor Gleeson launched a long kick-out that Comer brilliantly claimed in the middle of the field in the closing stages of Galway’s win over Westmeath at Pearse Stadium last Sunday.
The ball was worked through the hands before substitute Shane McGrath arrived and calmly fisted over the bar, sealing Galway’s victory and securing their place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
“I suppose, we’ve learned in the Connacht final how important kickouts are. When you’re down to the last minute getting hands on ball is massive. I think it’s just relief when you go up and you come down not getting challenged. It’s just a matter then of seeing out the clock and finally getting a late score to seal the deal,” said the 2022 All-Star.
In the last three games, Comer has got through a combined 68 minutes in this year's championship and his return is a significant boost for Padraic Joyce’s side providing Galway with an outlet on the edge of the square.
“There’s lonely days, there’s hard days and tough days but then you see the way we are growing as a group. Different individuals stepping up, if someone is not available it’s the next person that’s up.
"We’ve got an unbelievable squad, Padraic always says it, picking the 26 is hard never mind picking the fifteen. In fairness, training is competitive, happy to do our part in whatever way that is, glad to move onto Croker for the quarter-finals.”
After Annaghdown’s victory over St Michaels in the 2025 Galway senior football championship relegation semi final, Comer underwent surgery in September and four months later he suffered a setback which delayed his return from injury.
“I got surgery in September but I had a setback in December, it’s kind of been up and down since then. For me now, it’s all about looking to Tuesday to Thursday to Saturday then seeing how I feel. I’m getting as much as I can out of the body. As long as that keeps going I’m happy enough to keep at it.”
The 32-year-old said it has been all about managing his training load over the last few months to stay injury-free.
“A very bumpy road, I’ve kind of adapted to the new me. The last few years hasn’t been easy, you go with the changes and try to get the most out of yourself in whatever capacity that is.
“Just trying to manage the training load, I’m not as young as I was, thankfully it’s working. I’m working closely with the conditioning team and physios and stuff, we’re getting there but for me it’s all about staying fit and onto the next training,” added the Galway forward.