WILL O’DONOGHUE proved a hugely satisfactory replacement for the iconic Declan Hannon in the heart of the Limerick defence in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling semi-final defeat of Galway at a well-populated (just shy of 60,000) Croke Park.
Captain Hannon’s absence was well flagged in advance, and while Kyle Hayes was listed at number six, it was Na Piarsaigh’s O’Donoghue who, from the outset, dropped back from his customary midfield role to fulfil the pivotal position.
Hayes was moved to his more customary number seven position, and again excelled.
On his choice of centre back, manager John Kiely explained: “You were replacing a leader with a leader. And a guy who is very experienced with another very experienced player. William has played six for his club on numerous occasions. You just have to put faith in your gut and in your instinct, and just go with it. And the entire group bought into it straight away.”
He was upbeat on the prospects of a Hannon return for Sunday week’s final, insisting that the heroic figure “has every chance” of being involved in the quest for a historic four-in-a-row, a feat not achieved since Kilkenny back in 2009, and only once before that by Cork some 80 years ago.
With O’Donoghue at number six, eventual man of the match Darragh O’Donovan was partnered by the returning Cian Lynch around the middle of the park, while Gearóid Hegarty joined David Reidy and Tom Morrissey in the half-forward line.
If Hannon is fit for July 23, Kiely will have to demote someone, but who? In truth, all starters performed well in the cracking comeback 2-24 to 1-18 win over Henry Shefflin’s westerners.
As alluded to by the brilliant O’Donovan to RTÉ afterwards “no one is irreplaceable”.
“There’s 15 fellas behind us, fighting to get on this team. And certainly no one of us is irreplaceable. This team will move, and the game will move on, but Limerick will always be there, not matter who is out there.
