Many believed that Dunlop's racing career was over, and he was left with severe tendon damage which restricted movement, and a shortened leg from the accident. Afterwards accepting his injuries and resultantly restricting his competition entries from then on to the 125 cm3 class, Dunlop was determined to return. Dunlop chose the Cookstown 100 on 20 April 1996, and although still not fully fit, took ninth place in the 125 cm3 race won by brother Joey. He was never to win the main Cookstown 100 race again, but returned every year in the 125 cm3 class: 3rd in 1997, 4th in 1998, 3rd in 2002 and 2nd in 2004.