Dunderry man Killian continuing to defy the odds with TRY-Athalon
Charity event in Knightsbrook for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland
By Michael Keaveny
Killian Minogue might have been forgiven for thinking his sporting career had peaked when he won an intermediate hurling title in 2014. After a night out in March 2015, while walking home he was struck by a van and suffered catastrophic injuries including a severe brain injury as well breaking his sacrum and pelvis.
Now just over seven years later, Killian (29) is looking to emulate that by completing a TRY-Athalon in Knightsbrook Hotel, in aid of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. During the event he will cycle 20km on a stationary bike, row 10km on a rowing machine and swim 500 metres in the pool.
At the time of his accident competing such a feat would have seemed impossible.
“My recovery was long slow and painful”, Killian says. “I was in a coma for about a month. I spent time in several different hospitals. I spent two years in a wheelchair and it was deemed unlikely that I would ever walk again.”
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland are an organisation that proved invaluable for Killian when he was discharged from hospital.
“They provided me with occupational therapy and lots of further rehabilitation. Not only does my brain injury affects how I walk, there are a lot of cognitive issues as well. I have no memory prior to 2015. The charity gave me the tools to help me with concentration and attention skills free of charge. I want to raise funds so people who find themselves in a similar situation as me will be able to get the same help that I got from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.”
To the untrained eye Killian’s injuries aren’t obvious but they have had a massive impact on his life.
“Every brain injury is different”, he says. “If you see me sitting down you wouldn’t think anything is wrong, but you’d see it if I was on my feet. But people don’t see the cognitive difficulties such as my difficulty retaining information, my ability to stay attentive in lectures has been affected.”
When I’m on the spot I can talk very well but there are clear difficulties when compared to the typical person who hasn’t suffered. It’s a blind symptom that people can’t see.”
Due to the nature of his injuries Killian isn’t eligible to compete in a lot of sports designed for people with physical disabilities, which leaves him falling between to stools when it comes to finding competitions to participate in.
“I’m lucky I’m not paralysed. There are Paralympic sports, but I can’t enter these sporting competitions. I have the use of my legs, but not the full use, so I can’t compete in these sports. I haven’t been made aware of any other places where I can compete. Hurling was my first love and it’s heart-breaking that I can’t play, but I’m dealing with it, it helps that I’m involved in management . There isn’t a proper outlet for people like me to engage in sport and to socialise with people in a similar situation. People can sympathise but not empathise with me.”
During the TRY-Athalon, he reckons the swimming will be the most difficult part.
“I’ll be cycling first, then rowing and swimming last. I’m swimming 500m, without the use of my legs. I don’t have the coordination to kick my leg in the water so I’ll be using my arms and shoulders. Neil Heffernan my trainer and friend is swimming with me for support, he’s been fantastic throughout the whole process.
The biggest obstacle was my own head. There was days when I didn’t want to go in. I push myself and I haven’t missed as session for 12 weeks. I train three or four times a week, two with Neil and one to two extra on my own. It’s also important to show that a lot of things are possible and not to let your injuries whether they are cognitive, physical or both to get in the way. I try to balance work, my training schedule and coaching the hurlers. Its tough but the structure is great. “
Having the support of his father Mick, mother Miriam, sister Aoife and girlfriend Shelagh have been hugely important for Killian.
“I’ve gotten great support from my family and my girlfriend Shelagh, who is always there when I’m finished with a protein shake. She took a leading role along with my mother in organising a cake sale fundraiser which raised over €1,200 so we’re about €1,000 from our target of €4,000. My friends were immense in providing support as well.”
Killian’s sister Aoife is a prominent camogie player for Meath and is playing in the All Ireland Quarter final on the same day as his event in Portlaoise.
It’ll be a great day for the family, to have an all-Ireland quarter final and someone who was in a wheelchair for two years competing in a TRY-Athalon on the same day. It’ll be a lot better if I finish it and she wins her game. We’re great for each other, I see her going training four days a week and she sees me doing the same.
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