THE recession, the famine, the wait, they are all over. Limerick are the double Munster champions in hurling. It has been 73 years since that has happened and 29 since Limerick secured a Minor provincial crown.
The time is now to enjoy the success, but a time must also come to investigate just how this season happened and to evaluate how we go about replicating it.
The 1984 Minor side included some stars of the 1987 under 21 win. The very same names littered the Limerick team for the 1992 league win as well as the 1994 and 1996 Munster final wins.
The now legendary under 21 treble winning side of the early 2000’s did not quiet fulfil their true potential, however the point can be argued that success at minor level was not around back then to help those few who made it, to kick on to the next level.
We have seen from the football side of things that a strong minor set up from the late ‘90s lead to 2000 Munster 21’s win, followed by several senior Munster final appearances.
Do you see the trend developing here? The question now for the powers that be in Limerick GAA is, what next? Does this management team of Brian Ryan, Eamon Cregan and Paul Finn remain at minor level? Do they move on with this team in time? Who would replace them?
‘Success breeds success’ is a cliché aften bandied about. For me, a sustained period of success will only come about if the amount of work being done week in, week out is continued.
The errors of the past have shown that you cannot put all your eggs in once basket. The key is to have many, many eggs and even more baskets.
Congratulations to all those involved in the recent success for Limerick hurling. The great thing now is that the county appears to have learned its lesson and there will never be such a long wait again. Luimneach Abú.
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