By John Harrington

Less than four months after his life hung in the balance while in an induced coma, James Burke is ready to play a key role for Kildare in the Christy Ring Cup Final against London on Saturday.

The 19-year-old has made a remarkable recovery since being struck down suddenly by bacterial meningitis last Easter just a week after he’d helped the DCU hurlers win the All-Ireland Fresher’s Hurling title.

His symptoms started innocuously enough, but quickly turned into a nightmare scenario for both him and his family.

“I had a week off college and I was working in a camp,” Burke told GAA.ie. “I came home on the Tuesday and I was feeling sick.

“I was just very tired which wouldn't be like me. Went into work the next day and came home with a headache and a temperature.

“They were flu like symptoms so I thought that's all it was. Then during the night I vomited four or five times and on Thursday morning it was the same again, headaches and temperature.

“It was Thursday evening I started getting a sharp pain in my side and difficulty breathing.

“So I went to the GP and he straight away sent me to the hospital, he felt something was wrong.”

Burke’s condition went downhill rapidly when he reached A&E. He was vomiting, hallucinating, and had pains all over his body.

When he then developed a rash on his arms and feet, the doctors suspected meningitis. A CT scan showing severe swelling on Burke’s brain confirmed their fears.

“At that point they put me in an induced coma and transferred me to an isolation unit in Tallaght,” said Burke.

“It was tough for my family, they were going through it all and I obviously didn't know what was going on.

“It was scary times for them. They were sleeping in the hospital, they didn't even go home. They were up all night worrying I suppose.

“On the Saturday the doctors were letting them know hour by hour how I was doing. It was touch and go, nearly.”

Eventually his doctors were able to confirm he had a case of Type B Bacterial Meningitis, which allowed them to treat him with a specific antibiotic which Burke responded well to.

He was woken from his induced coma after three days, but still had a long road to recovery ahead of him.

“I was in hospital for 12 days and when I was in hospital I wasn't great at all," he said. "I had no energy. I was only slowly getting back to my feet and walking.

“Once I got home the process started to speed up. I was going for longer walks around the house or going down by the canal.

“They said the recovery would be a minimum of eight weeks, so I didn't do anything that was kind of risky for those eight weeks, no type of running or exercise really.

“In the meantime as well I was just doing everything the doctor said. Eating well and sleeping well and all of that.”

When the eight weeks were up, Burke slowly started to ramp up the intensity of his rehab and targeted a return to the Kildare team.

He’d lost a lot of weight and muscle-mass, but bit by bit built himself back until he was ready to make his comeback as a second-half substitute in the Christy Ring Cup victory over Wicklow on June 2, just three months after he’d been in a coma.

He scored a point that day, and then landed four in the Christy Ring Cup semi-final victory over Derry after coming on at half-time.

Kildare are glad to have him back, he was their top-scorer in the League with a total of 28 points scored from just four matches played. Not bad going for a young player in his debut season.

“When I understood what had happened I thought I wouldn't even be able to play in the club championship in October,” said Burke. “I thought it was going to be a long spell on the sidelines.

“I couldn't have even dreamed of playing in a Christy Ring Cup Final. But now I am where I am. I've played a few matches so I'm just delighted to have the opportunity to play in the Final on Saturday.

“It’s been a dream of a first season, apart from getting sick. The League was good to me. I was playing good hurling and was getting lucky as well. Coming back into the Christy Ring I was a bit nervous and didn't know how things were going to go.

“I'm just happy that I didn't fall too far backwards. I'm doing alright again. I've fitted back into the team okay.

“Everyone involved with the team has been great to me. I got a lot of texts of support and they were always keeping tabs on me to see how I was doing.

“Even when I came back training, they made the return to training very easy, both management and players.”

They’ve supported him and, according to Kildare team coach, Shane O’Brien, he has inspired them in turn.

“James’ journey to this Christy Ring Final is truly extraordinary,” said O’Brien. “He fought as big a battle as anyone could imagine, he was at death’s door.

“He has showed incredible courage and strength, which has inspired all those around him in Kildare.

“James is an exceptionally talented hurler, in my view, he has the potential to be as good as some of the top hurlers in the country.”

Whatever else he does in his career, it’s a serious achievement for Burke to be able to play a part in this Christy Ring Cup Final considering what he’s come through.

You can be sure that his family will savour the occasion too. A few short months ago they were sitting by his side in hospital praying he’d make it through the fight of his young life.

Now, sooner than they could ever have hoped, they’ll get to watch him do what he loves most, back in the full of his health. Regardless of the result, that’s something to celebrate.

“Yeah, I think they'll enjoy the occasion,” said Burke. “I'd say they weren't expecting I'd be in this position. They wouldn't have been expecting to see me out there this year.

“Ah, it's great. It's good for them to get a day out as well and I'm sure they're as delighted and excited as I am.”