On Monday evening last the tall defender came on for the closing twenty minutes for his club's county senior hurling league outing against Adamstown.

Playing in the unusual role of corner-forward he marked his return with a fine point.

While the same swagger may not be there yet Darragh is delighted to have had 20 minutes of action under his belt.

"It has been a long haul with five sessions a week in the gym since last September. I must have put in more than 150 gym sessions so it was nice to get back out on the pitch once again."

Fuelled with an ambition to be ready for the opening round Leinster senior hurling championship game against Offaly in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, on June 8, Darragh has been careful along every step of the way particularly as this has been his second cruciate operation.

His optimism may be somewhat tempered and this is not surprising given his catalogue of injuries.

"So far, so good, things are moving along nicely, although I've felt the odd twinge which is not surprising really. I've been involved hurling with the Wexford squad for the past six weeks so it was

nice to get part of a game under my belt.

"There's been no adverse re-action so far, but I've been extra careful and not pushing it too quickly. After all it's my second time round," said Darragh, referring to his battle back to fitness following an earlier cruciate operation.

But Darragh is confident that he can defy the doubters and maintain the standards which he set prior to his injury.

"My aim is the Offaly championship game but the only concern is the lack of competitive games.

"Hopefully I'll be able to have a few extra games by then, while it would be nice to have also played in a first round county championship game, but I don't know when that will be played."

Ruling out a return at any stage during next Sunday's clash with All-Ireland and League champions, Kilkenny, Darragh feels that would be a step too high to begin a comeback.

"That would be aiming a bit high at the moment. I plan to ease back with the club and also with some challenge inter-county games.

"Then it's up to the management to decide if I'm ready for Offaly.

Looking back on the league campaign and ahead to the championship, Darragh said: "We have not been consistent enough in the league. We have won some good games but have not been able to put it back to back on a consistent level."

"Offaly will provide a stern test in the championship. The league game will become irrelevant for Offaly will have a much stronger team.

"We will not hear much about them and know little until the game. That's Offaly all over for you. It will be difficult."