“The friendship we have is something special.” Athletes the world over will know of the heartbreak caused by a devastating injury, and for Tyrone’s Shannon Quinn, it was not once but twice that she was forced to watch her beloved club and county continue without her from the sideline. The talented footballer did not let injury - coupled with the stress of final exams - deter her though, and has bounced back stronger and hungrier for victory than ever before. We caught up with Shannon this week as part of the new ‘Behind the Player’ intiative from the WGPA and found out all about a challenging two years in the Tyrone player's life. “Back in August of 2013, I tore my cruciate ligament and cartilage playing against Carrickmore in the club championship,” she began. “I was naturally devastated but also very determined to get back playing. I was strict with my knee rehab while at the the same time preparing for my final Chartered Accountancy exams. “I was back playing club league by May 2014, however more bad news prevailed in June when I re-tore my cartilage. With club championship to be played that September, I was keen to get back before the semi-final against Carrickmore again." “I got keyhole surgery in August and sat my final exams at the beginning of September. That three week period was really challenging, as my two main priorities were colliding head on. “Unfortunately, the championship final came a week too soon for me and I wasn't fit to take part. My club, Errigal Ciaran, got beaten by a point and this was by far the hardest thing I have had to watch during my playing career. “On the upside, I did pass my final accountancy exams which was a great relief,” she reflected. “With work now, I have found juggling the two more challenging since starting EY in 2012, largely due to the travel time involved." "I live at home in Tyrone and travel to Belfast which means early morning starts and eating on the go as I go straight from work to training. “Working in a Professional Services firm does bring its own challenges in terms of deadlines to be met and client commitments, but I am a strong believer that good preparation, organisation and communication can solve a lot of potential problems. “I see football very much as a release for me, it clears my head and I don’t ever see it as a hassle. Football has afforded me the opportunity to grow some really strong friendships with girls from other counties and meet some really interesting people from all over Ireland." “On top of that, football has helped my greatly in developing many important skills that I use every day in work such as effective communication, leadership, team work and listening. “I developed these from a young age through football, though it is only recently that I realise their importance. “Really though, the most important thing that football has brought to my life is the opportunity to develop strong friendships with the girls I play football with week after week." “Both in my club team and the Tyrone team I have some really good friends that make going to football all the more enjoyable. “Through football I also made a great group of friends in the girls I met in DCU, we are from all different counties but the friendship we have is something special that I am sure will last far beyond our playing careers. “I’ll always be thankful for that.” __________________________________________________________________ As part of this new series, we also caught up with Annette Clarke of Galway, Sara-Louise Carr of Down, Patricia Jackman of Waterford and Collette Dormer of Kilkenny. #BehindThePlayer is a new initiative by the WGPA (Women’s Gaelic Player Association) and PwC to highlight the dedication and commitment by female football and camogie stars behind the scenes. It highlights the players as individuals who are successful and ambitious in life and sport and positions them as role models for young people across Ireland.