Leanne Kiernan has revealed that she had to learn how to run again after she suffered a devastating ankle injury last September.
The Ireland striker was sidelined for eight months after she was hurt in Liverpool’s WSL opener last September against Chelsea.
Kiernan returned to action last month - just in time to make Vera Pauw’s 31-strong pre-World Cup squad.
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And she showed that she still had an eye for goal when she scored in a training match on Friday, as Pauw’s squad took part in an open session in front of almost 1,500 fans.
Kiernan looked stronger than ever as she darted around the UCD Bowl, but she explained how it took a lot of hard work to get back to fitness.
“You need to learn how to use your legs again,” said the Cavan native. “I got my legs pinned back together so you got to learn how to run. Single leg running, it’s a slow process.
“But you know what? The best thing was when Amber Barrett scored that goal. Because then I knew I had an end goal to my rehab.
“I had a whiteboard in my room with the World Cup dates when we were in camp and I was always working towards that.
“Some days it’s really hard to get motivated when you’re up on that watt bike instead of being out on the pitch. But look, I’m here now.”
Kiernan was still in a cast when Barrett netted that famous play-off winner at Hampden Park.
“I had all the girls kitted out in Ireland jerseys. I cried my eyes out. Happy tears,” she said.
“I was in Liverpool, the family came over as I couldn’t fly.
“I spent the entire Christmas in the gym. No weekends at home in the past five months.
“I’d train on the weekends too before the team came in for games.
“It’s a lonely time too. You’re always in about four or five hours before the team and you never really get to see them. It’s just you and weights, you and yourself.
“But it’s made me mentally tough and I fell like I’m in a really good place now. I feel confident.”
Kiernan was back in training with Liverpool in February, as she built herself back up for a return to first-team action.
At no stage during her recovery, the 24-year-old insisted, did she think she would fail to get back in time for the World Cup.
“No, I’m a very positive thinker. And when I set my goals nothing can get in the way of my goals,” she said.
“I just knew that when the injury happened… listen, you never want to have a serious injury but if you wanted to have it happen to you at a certain time, then this was the best, giving it time to heal.
“It’s been nine or ten months now.”
Kiernan kept Ireland boss Pauw updated on her progress as she fought to be in contention for a place in the World Cup squad.
Now that she is here, the former Shelbourne and West Ham striker will do everything in her power to make the final 23.
“I don’t even think about that right now. I just know that in every training session I will give 110 percent,” she said.
“If that’s enough, that’s enough. I can only do my best and hope everything else falls into place.”
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