IF THERE WAS a search for what fuelled Na Piarsaigh’s drive for domination in last night’s Limerick senior hurling final, captain William O’Donoghue provided it afterwards.
By the final whistle the superiority of Na Piarsaigh was unquestionable, 27 points clear after dishing out a hammering to opponents Doon as they amassed 5-27 at the Gaelic Grounds.
But in the winners’ circle they felt doubts had floated around prior to the game. Like last October when they were held off by Patrickswell in the county final or in late July when they lost their opening group game to Kilmallock.
“That’s really what we came to do tonight, put a bit of respect back in our team, put a bit of respect back in our circle and go to work hard. We’ve won a lot and the reason we’ve won that is down to hard work, it’s got nothing to do with talent. There was a lot of narration there after we lost to Kilmallock from the press, local press, national press, the fact that we’d lost our hunger, which is the most ridiculous thing I’d ever read. Everyone was mad to push that narration at us, at Kieran in a TG4 interview, at Shane in a TG4 interview, to question our hunger. So I hope everyone knows we’re alive and kicking.”
Na Piarsaigh have been a formidable presence over the last decade, ever since making their Limerick breakthrough in 2011. Last night represented their sixth county final win, they’ve added a quartet of Munster accolades and the All-Ireland triumph in 2016.
But suggestions that they were slipping clearly stung O’Donoghue and his team-mates.
“Yeah it did yeah,” admitted the Limerick midfielder.
“It absolutely did. People were quick to throw it around and push it in our face so I think a lot of those got their answer tonight. We got a hosing last year. We weren’t the county champions this year so we just wanted to show what we were made of and put some respect on our group. That was all it was about.
“We came to give a good account of ourselves, a good account of our group, what we’re working for and make a lot of Na Piarsaigh people proud. We felt that we didn’t do that last year, beaten by a better team. We just came to deliver a performance so that’s all that changed.
“I don’t want that to come across that we were goading Doon or anything like that. They were without two players, a very young squad, so I’ve no doubt over the next how many years we’re all playing senior hurling, there’ll be a lot of ding dong battles.
“It certainly wasn’t to be disrespectful or anything, it was simply that we were in a position last year where we had the screw turned on us. It was just the fear of that. We were just so driven to achieve more.”
They achieved all that despite established forwards Shane Dowling and Kevin Downes missing out through injury for their latest success.
“We’ve 36 players training every night. Adam McNamara stepped in tonight, anyone of us could have been missing and I’d fully expect, I would have had full faith in any player there tonight stepping up trying to deliver a good performance. It’s not about how talented you are, it’s about what you’re willing to do for Na Piarsaigh and the team. I fully believed in our group.”
Generally Na Piarsaigh would now switch their focus to a bid for the Munster championship but the 2020 schedule is different. Last night represented the culmination of their work. O’Donoghue will now return to the Limerick senior camp but he departs this club campaign with fond memories.
“I’ve really enjoyed it. To be honest I’m devastated it’s over. We’ve been going on a really good run there. When you’re performing like that week in, week out for three weeks, you want that to last. That’s the feeling you’re chasing, that winning feeling. It would have been nice to have a crack off it (the Munster club).
“Obviously we’re going back into a great setup with Limerick. You just switch your focus to that. But it’s been a fantastic year. After we lost the first night, it really ignited our year. It’s been a fantastic campaign and brilliant to get a good win with some of our best friends.”
He has taken them as far as he can.
Doesn’t seem to have the humility to resign. They have to sack him.
Stephen Kenny has well and truly had the last laugh.
Unfair- not sure he realizes he’s working in a results game and City ain’t winning
If he has any respect for himself he will quit but I suppose he’s holding out for a payoff.
It wont get any better with him still as manager.whats going to change,hes a stubborn man,nothing will change only our position in the table.second from bottom soon.thanks john.
It will be interesting to see if the Foras management team are prepared to show leadership here.
While a great admirer of his achievements over the ladt 5 years its obvious the club have stagnated now. The signs were there all last season and sadly are evident for all to see now….
Leadership has to been shown from the board in this situation if John is still adamant in staying on even tho results are in constant decline……
@Michéal Breathnach: foras i feel hasnt helped this year by cutting the budget as much as they did.how can we compete with the rest of the league losing alot of our players .we were a strong club doing well year in year out.now we are fighting to stay in the league,yes john caulfield is a big problem with hisnegative football,but foras isnt helping either.they are pulling us back now,i know people are afraid of it over what happened before,but we need proper investment in the club.
@troy holland: You are right about foras, they have to take responsibility for their part in this mess. I would love to know what their strategic plan is for the next couple of seasons, that’s if they have one. Its a dangerous game they are playing and so far it looks like they are on the wrong path….
@Michéal Breathnach: yes your right .i was wondering was i the only one thinking this.the season was lost even before it started.
Good times are gone now, foras have decided that we will no longer challenge for the League and Cup, which is fine if thats the way they want to run the club but gates will drop massively , won’t sell any merchandise and zero atmosphere at games. Wonder why Foras are so quiet at the moment? Will they publickly back the present management team? Strange…..
Looks like that question wasn’t so unfair after all.
He was stubborn when we were winning and hes still the same now. No change with him. None at all.
I feel the players have lost a huge amount of appetite and those who have come in, predominantly are no where near the quality needed.
However I do feel that a few of the younger players are real jems.
A huge reset button this season is being pushed. I hope there is a long term plan in place