Treaty glory even more special because of Cian..

HALL OF FAME LEGEND CAREY REFLECTS ON A ‘BEAUTIFUL, EMOTIONAL’ SEASON

CIARAN CAREY was in the trenches for over 15 years with Limerick before slipping away “on the quiet” in 2005.

In that time the gifted centre-back (left) reached two All-irelands, ‘94 and ‘96, only to lose them in traumatic circumstances. When John Kiely’s side walked up the steps of the Hogan Stand in August to lift the Liam Maccarthy Cup for the first time in 45 years, it was an emotional release for Kiely and all those who had soldiered with him.

“To be honest, ‘94 and ‘96 are well and truly gone,” he said. “I made peace with that long time ago. I’ve no notion of bringing that regret into my 50s, 60s, and 70s.

“It’s sport. We got so far and we didn’t cross the line, we didn’t win it. OK, it took a bit of a while for the pill to be swallowed emotionally, to be able to park it.

“Of course it makes it a bit easier now because Limerick have been starving and crying out for an All-ireland since 1973. Now that they’re after doing it, the pressure is off now for supporters, the past players, past management.

“There was a huge deal that was made of this because any fella who would have worn the Limerick jersey from ‘74 to 2018, ultimately that’s what they went out to achieve.

“Myself personally, if they didn’t win it this year would it emotionally cripple Ciaran Carey or hijack me emotionally? No, it wouldn’t.

“But it was fair special to see history being made. It’s an early Christmas present for everyone.

“It was absolutely beautiful, spiritually and emotionally. It was massive to see it and massive emotionally for myself as well, especially when Cian was involved.”

Cian is Cian Lynch, his nephew, who is a nominee for Hurler of the Year on the back of an outstanding season.

He is just one of a group of new senior All-ireland winners who Carey had helped to develop at club level or at underage level with Limerick.

Carey said: “His introduca