SPECIAL is the word Donal O’Grady has used to describe the current Limerick side as they prepare for Sunday’s All-Ireland final meeting with Cork.
The Shannonsiders are seeking an unprecedented back to back of Liam MacCarthy titles and three in four years as they meet Cork in GAA HQ.
After missing out on an All-Ireland title as a player during his illustrious career with Limerick, now selector, O’Grady has praised the psyche of the squad as they take each game in their stride.
“They’re just an elite bunch of players that Limerick are lucky to have, I suppose the one thing about them is you can mention their past successes, even recent successes, but they’re so grounded and they’re only interested in what’s happening in training this week which is freakish.
”For me if I was lucky enough to win an All-Ireland, id still be talking about it! But these fellas just want to go next game, next game. You’d always have a few like that but to have a group like that is special and it’s a privilege to be involved.”
For the Rebels, they will be hoping it will be a case of second time lucky against Limerick after falling to an eight point loss in the Munster semi-final in July.
The 2-22 to 1-17 victory pushed Cork into the All-Ireland qualifiers where they built considerable momentum in beating Clare and Dublin before upsetting Leinster champions Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final.
That last four win over the Cats came after extra-time as they outlasted Brian Cody’s charges. Their attacking flair was to the fore as they put up a staggering 1-37 with O’Grady fully aware of the threat they pose.
“One positive for Cork is that they kicked on in extra time and seemed to be the fresher team even though they played a lot of games. They are a young side as well and the pace they have helps as well.
“There are occasions where you are going to be opened up, they are too good a side not to. It is how we react when they break that line is the main thing for us.
“There is very little between us. The one thing about Cork is that they’re a hurling team and they’re a very skilful team, lot of similarities with Limerick and a lot of differences. We have seen enough of each other and lot of these games take on a life of their own so it will be interesting to see how it pans out.
“There’s huge rivalry there between the two counties and I suppose a huge respect as well”
With so much hype in the build up to the game, the Granagh Ballingarry man has outlined the importance of the squad’s depth as they prepare each other for the final hurdle of the 2021 season.
Much has been made of Limerick’s in house games that proved crucial in the All-Ireland successes of 2018 and 2020 with preparation no different this time around.
“The whole way we base the training sessions are around that kind of game based situation, and with the competition for places in the squad it has been great for us to take each other on inside here on a couple of nights, that has worked well and its driven the level of the group. Driven the standards in the group which has been great.”
And with so little to chose between the teams, the enhanced crowd of 40,000 could prove the difference according to the selector.
“It does make a huge difference, I genuinely am a firm believer in that, for both sides. If a team has momentum now with the crowd behind them, it’s really a great kick.”
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