Antrim footballer Ronan Hamill

The illness was diagnosed last July but the 28-year-old has received two all-clears since his operation and nine weeks of chemotherapy.

Hamill told the Irish News that he was playing with his daughter one evening last July when he realised that something was wrong.

"I got this spasm in my back," said Hamill.

"I came in and told my wife Donna that I'd hurt my back and was going to run a bath to see if I could ease it a wee bit.

"I was just washing myself in the bath and then I felt a lump".

By the following evening, Hamill had been told the shocking news.

Really to stay healthy, that's my ambition Ronan Hamill

"I just felt empty, totally empty".

Within a couple of weeks, the tumour was removed and Hamill was undergoing chemotherapy sessions.

"I had total belief that the chemo was going to kill it, every time they were bringing it in I was telling them to bring it on, pump it into me".

Hamill took inspiration from cyclist Lance Armstrong's successful battle against cancer as he digested every piece on information on the disease that he could get his hands on.

Within five months of his operation, he was training with his Glenavy colleagues again and he has been back in action for his club in recent weeks.

Hamill acknowledges that he won't reach 100 per cent fitness again.

Family comes first

However, he is hopeful of getting something near the level of fitness he attained in 2000.

That year he helped Antrim claim their first win in an Ulster Championship game in 18 years when the Saffron County shocked Down at Casement Park.

He's not sure what his football ambitions are.

"Really to stay healthy, that's my ambition.

"I just thank god for having my wee girl.

"No matter what about the football, everything is second to the family".