Give your feet a sporting chance HEALTH


N


o pain, no gain is the catchphrase of many a


sporting legend. But when an injury threatened a young Camogie player’s chance of glory, Foot Solutions in Waterford stepped in to salvage a promising sporting career. It was a year


when many things came together for Susan Keane. Her job was going well and her Camogie team Killimor were putting together a fantastic run of results. However, she also lost her good friend David and the physical stresses of playing were taking their toll. Every game saw her battling excruciating pain in her knee. In some ways, the injury brought an


unexpected bonus. It meant that Susan had to move to Full Forward and she stepped up to her new role by scoring crucial goals and points which helped Killimor reach the All-Ireland final. But her body just couldn’t take it anymore. Standing on the threshold of playing at Croke Park, she was struggling to walk, let alone play. The final would be on her mother’s birthday, but it looked like she might not be able to play.


GAMES


The Witcher 2: Assassins


of Kings T


he Witcher Two is a third person role playing game with huge emphasis on


narrative and fantasy storyline. Published by Namco Bandai and


developed by CD Projekt Red. Available for PC and Xbox 360. Available now for ages 18+. *Witcher - a warrior built to fight


monsters and powerful villains and beasts - even a dragon or two. You play Geralt . . . a witcher who


finds himself suffering from amnesia and also blamed for killing his King. He finds himself in a warring kingdom, full of assassinations, uprisings and betrayals, and is forced to choose alliances. Of course, based on the alliance you choose the gameplay will alter dramatically. 30


Although the


combat is mainly hack and slash but as a witcher you will have access to special powers such as destructive magic, alchemy and powerful sword techniques. As you level up you can choose to expand on whichever field you wish. This game won’t be for everyone as the storyline is very intricate and detailed and rarely


explains everything to you. In the menu you will find a logbook detailing characters, locations and events. You will need to have a knowledge of the game’s predecessor and events to truly grasp your surroundings. The graphics are on a par with its


intricate story as they are consistently breath-taking and beautiful and they seem all the more so when been in the midst of a large scale conflictor fighting with monster sized creatures, or even in a rundown town of Flotsam. Overall this 50 hour adventure is


well worth the investment. The combat system does tend to punish you for making mistakes but surviving a battle does make it feel all the more satisfying. If you want an engrossing fantasy RPG look no further.


As her injury worsened she saw a


physio and had an MRI scan but it looked like nothing would help. Then, on the eve of the Final, a friend recommended going to Foot Solutions. It’s worth knowing that Susan is used to her fair share of injuries. She began playing Camogie at the age of eight and had worn orthotics before ‘until my dog ate them!’ but this time the pain was much worse. Walking into Foot Solutions was a


struggle, leaving felt like walking on air. “Peter Jones was able to identify my problem just by watching me walk. It was amazing.” Foot Solution Manager Peter Jones could


see that Susan’s pelvis had tilted and this was confirmed using the shop’s specialist foot mapping technology. He was able to fit her with custom-made arch support s which not only relieved the pain but gave her a sporting chance of appearing in the final. On All-Ireland final day Susan joined


her teammates on the pitch. She would go on to score a goal and four points which helped Killimor to an unexpected victory. It was the perfect birthday present for her Mam. But without the team at Foot Solutions it never would have happened. “It was probably the greatest sporting moment of my life and I believe that it was


fate walking into Foot Solutions that day.” Susan’s orthotics go everywhere with


her - to work in the call centre, on a night out and now, to the Himalayas. “I’m taking some time off from playing


Camogie and going travelling. First I’m heading to India and then Nepal, to the base camp of Mount Everest.” If you sporting or leisure dreams are


being held back by foot, back or knee pain then visit the Michael Street branch of Foot Solutions in Waterford. They’ll give you a free foot and gait analysis and an answer to all your foot related problems. Call Foot Solutions on 051-857889.


8 Michael Street, Waterford. T: 051 857889


www.footsolutions.com/waterford by Ray Lawless


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