THE NUMBERS involved in the background with All-Ireland and Munster Senior Hurling Championship winners Limerick were mistakenly inflated by captain Declan Hannon.
In the wake of the monstrous six-in-a-row accomplishment in Thurles, Hannon, in his victory speech, referenced that Limerick had a backroom team of over 50.
This was merely a slip of the tongue for Hannon, who usually lets his actions on the pitch do the talking, according to five-time All-Ireland winner Séamus Flanagan.
“I don’t know where he pulled that number from,” said Flanagan at the launch of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship.
“I’m assuming he put players in as well. I’d never heard the likes of it. When he said it, I was chatting to Cian at the time. I was like, 53 on the backroom team, he must know more than I do! They must all be working from home!”
It was since clarified that Limerick have a total headcount of 53, 37 players and a support staff of 16.
The All-Ireland quarter-finals – Clare/Wexford and Cork/Dublin – will be played at Semple Stadium as an attractive double-header at the weekend, with Limerick and Kilkenny waiting in the wings in the semi-finals.
Unless there’s an upset, Limerick are likely to meet Cork on Sunday July 7.
In his own words, Flanagan, injured in the narrow loss away to Cork, is primed for a return in Croke Park at the start of next month.
“I’m back on the pitch now this week. Please God, back hurling soon.”
Of the injury, he explained: “I landed with my left leg and felt something go. It wasn’t a full (hamstring) tear. A grade two tear and it was downgraded to a grade one. Should be good to go in the next week or two.”
In the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Limerick host Tipperary at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Saturday (2pm).
