Na Piarsaigh setting even higher standards
IT’S not even a decade ago that the notion of Na Piarsaigh winning a Limerick hurling title, let alone a Munster or AllIreland, seemed outlandish. Before Sean Stack took over for the 2009 campaign, even the players themselves conceded their main hope was to reach a quarterfinal. Beyond that, not much was expected. So when the former Clare captain announced to the players at one of his first sessions that they’d win the provincial title, he was met with blank expressions. ‘We were looking around saying, “What is this fella talking about?”’ recalled experienced forward Kevin Downes. Downes’ shock might seem surprising now, considering they’ve collected four of the last seven Munster titles and are unbeaten in 11 games outside their county. But back in the late noughties they’d never even won a Limerick title let alone reached the provincial summit. Months later, they contested their first county final and made their big breakthrough in 2011 when they won their first one. Seven years on, and managed by Shane O’Neill these days, they’re now a superpower of the club scene closing in on their second AIB All-Ireland win in three seasons. Saturday’s final with Cuala could very well be an epic too as it pits the last two champions against each other. ‘I’m not trying to butter Cuala up but to come back two years in a row is a remarkable achievement,’ said Downes. ‘Winning Dublin is no easy feat, winning Leinster is no easy feat... so it’s a long road back and it’s testament to their ability to keep hungry and fresh.’ Downes speaks from experience on that issue because Na Piarsaigh failed to make it out of their group in Limerick just months after winning their All-Ireland. ‘It was a disaster,’ said the Limerick powerhouse. ‘We won the All-Ireland and had great craic after. But the county championship comes around then very quickly, it’ll be the same again this year.’