Ad Blocker Detected
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.
Limerick’s Once-Hapless Hurlers Get Used to Something New: Winning
For years, Limerick’s hurling team served as the butt of jokes, the easy target of ridicule by rivals and critics alike. But fast forward to 2018 and the narrative has taken an intriguing twist. No longer do the boys from Munster languish at the bottom of the table or exit the championship with heavy hearts. Instead, they have transformed themselves into a unit of muscularity and mental toughness, one that is used to something new – winning.
Gone are the days when the Limerick hurlers carried the weight of history and expectation on their shoulders, without anything to show for it. Now, they have shattered the shackles and proven their mettle time and again. In the last three years, they have reached two All-Ireland finals, winning one in 2018, and captured a Munster Championship crown. Many factors have contributed to this sustained success but the one word that resonates above all else is belief.
The current Limerick crop is endowed with a self-confidence that was lacking in previous generations. Instead of being cowed by the occasion, they embrace it, relishing the opportunity to put their skills to the test. They are comfortable battling against the odds, knowing that no challenge is too big or too daunting. As captain Declan Hannon put it in a recent interview: “We always knew we had the ability, but it was just a case of making that mental leap and believing it about ourselves”.
That newfound confidence is reflected in their play. Limerick’s style is one of relentless pursuit, of screeching intensity and unwavering commitment. They are an embodiment of the word “grit” – stubborn, resilient and never giving up. They thrive on the chaos of the moment, using it to their advantage, expertly shifting the momentum of the game in their favor. It is a sight to behold, an expression of hurling joy that has lifted the city and county to new heights of exhilaration.
Of course, that level of success cannot be attributed to just one factor. There are multiple elements that have contributed to Limerick’s rise to prominence, elements that must be analyzed and celebrated. The first is the emphasis on youth. The county has made a concerted effort to develop young players, nurturing their skills and giving them the platform to showcase their talents. This focus on youth has yielded significant dividends, as players like Cian Lynch, Kyle Hayes, and Aaron Gillane have emerged as stars in their own right, capable of dominating the big games when it matters most.
The second is the influence of their coach, John Kiely. Kiely, a former player himself, knows the game inside out, and has built a team that is a reflection of his personality – disciplined, hardworking, and focused. He has instilled in his players a desire to keep improving, to keep striving for greatness, and to always be humble in victory or defeat. His tactical awareness and ability to adjust mid-game have also been key in Limerick’s success.
The third is the team’s spirit. The hurlers of Limerick are not just teammates, they are brothers. They support each other in good times and bad, celebrate each other’s successes as their own, and are always there when one of them is in need. It is a bond that has been forged over years of training and playing together, and one that is unbreakable.
But perhaps the biggest contributor to Limerick’s resurgence is the culture of hurling in the county. Hurling is not just a game in Limerick, it is a way of life. Children are introduced to the sport at a young age, taught the skills and techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. They grow up dreaming of playing in the Green and White jersey, of representing their county on the biggest stage, of winning All-Ireland titles for pride and glory. The result is a depth of talent that is unrivaled in many other counties, a pool of players that are hungry and passionate about playing the game and wearing the badge.
All these factors have combined to create a winning formula for Limerick hurling, a formula that they hope will propel them to even greater heights in the years ahead. They know it will not be easy, that there will be setbacks and challenges along the way, but they are ready for it. They are used to something new – winning – and they want to keep that feeling for as long as they can.
In conclusion, Limerick’s hurlers have come a long way in their journey, from being hapless challengers to the sharpest blades of Irish hurling. Their grit, resilience, and teamwork are the hallmarks that have contributed to their recent successes. However, their focus on youth, the influence of their coach, John Kiely, their team spirit, and the hurling culture in the county are the pillars of their triumph. Although their story is still being written, it’s without a doubt that they have placed themselves among the elite of Irish Hurling teams, and it’s a remarkable journey that we all have witnessed. Game on, Limerick. May your hunger for winning never cease.
