Lions.com.au caught up with Rookie Cian Hanley to check in on how his rehabilitation is progressing and when he expects to return to the main training group.
The Lions committed to Cian, the younger brother of Pearce, as an International Rookie in 2014, not long before he suffered an ACL injury in the All-Ireland minor semi-final where he captained County Mayo.
“I did my left ACL playing in an all-Ireland semi-final back home against Kerry.”
Hanley spent much 2015 recovering from his ACL , before a decision was made by Lions medical staff that the 19-year old would require groin surgery.
“I was training throughout the year to get my knee right (following ACL surgery) and I’d had groin trouble (in the past), so as my knee progressed my groin started getting bad,” Hanley said.
“I tried to fix that with Pilates, but it wasn’t really getting anywhere so I had to end up getting surgery.”
Much like Pearce, Hanley had impressed the Lions with his elite agility and endurance when playing for County Mayo.
He said it had been tough watching his teammates including housemates Harris Andrews and Hugh Beasley all experience senior football in their first season of AFL, while he watched on from the sideline.
“It was difficult, normally (International Rookies) get two years to get used to the game. I’ve come over knowing that I would be out for a year.
“Hopefully next year I can give it a good crack and show what I can give.”
Hanley said he was appreciative of the Lions’ support when a close friend from Ireland passed away in late August.
“The Lions really looked after me when a friend I played football with passed away back home.
“They were good enough to let me go back and make the funeral,” he said.
“I had a few weeks in Ireland and I’m now doing my rehab.
“I was very grateful for that.”
“Since my break (back home) I feel a lot more settled – even the fact that I’m doing more running and knowing that I’m going to be back in the main group in the next few weeks. I feel a lot happier.”
Hanley moved in with Beasley and Andrews in August and said the move had been smooth sailing.
“I moved in just before I went home with Harris and Hugh.
“I’m enjoying it. A lot of Fifa is being played,” he laughed.
