Ryan Catney managed to see the funny side as he reflected on one of the worst days of his football career. The former Irish League midfielder enjoyed considerable success in the game, notably back-to-back league titles with Cliftonville.

But it was on this day eight years ago that Catney suffered a horror double leg-break that threatened to end his career. It came in a North Belfast derby with Crusaders on January 21, 2017.

Catney went in on a 50-50 with Howard Beverland and suffered a horrendous injury, breaking both his tibia and fibula. He required multiple surgeries, and surgeons had to re-break his leg during a second operation following some complications.

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The 37-year-old had shown remarkable powers of recovery which left many fans in disbelief following his first operation.

Video footage emerged of the midfielder on a cross trainer with his leg still being supported by a cage.

On the eighth anniversary of the leg-break, Catney shared an image of the first X-ray which confirmed his double leg-break on his Instagram Stories.

And in trademark fashion he managed to find the funny side, joking: "8 years ago. Had a wee nick in my leg. Couldn't play in a while."

Speaking back in December 2017, Catney also showed his light-hearted approach to the gruelling injury and recovery process.

He joked: "Time flies when you're having fun. January 21, 2017. It is a date I will never forget, because it is an injury that I will never forget.

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"It has been a long, frustrating year but it is an experience that will make me stronger."

Catney spent over a decade at Cliftonville before leaving in 2019.

Reflecting on that tackle., which saw him red-carded against Crusaders, he told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast.: "I made 100-200 tackles like that one. A lot was made of that challenge.

"Football people know that was my game. I was always aggressive. It wasn't the first time I made a tackle like that.

"I always said I went for the ball. And no matter what people say, I wasn't that dirty. People say I was dirty but I only got about two red cards in my whole career. I maybe got away with it a bit. But I wasn't the animal that people made me out to be.

"I wasn't out to break people's legs like people made out. That's not how I remember it.

"It only seems to be a certain section of people who thought I was out to break someone's leg every week. But it wasn't the case with me."

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