THE packing of the car the night before. The finding of the jersey in the hot press. The firm wrapping of the headband around your wrist. The re-straightening of the straw hat. The realignment of the car flags. The sense of excitement as more and more cars converge on Thurles.
The roar of the crowd as the teams are announced. The hushed opening lines of the anthem. The hair rising on the back of your neck as the referee throws it in. Seventy minutes of hard, fast sport. Seventy minutes of highs and lows. The seventy minutes of waving flags at both wides and points. The final few minutes. The late changes. The late scores. The elation of winning and the sickness of losing. That’s right, it’s hurling championship time.
After a year in the wilderness, Limerick hurling is back and a clash versus Waterford awaits this Sunday afternoon in Thurles. (Throw in 4pm)
Preparation has not been plain sailing for Limerick. Challenge games against Galway and Dublin, as well as club games have meant a few ‘bumps and bruises’ for those involved in Donal O’Grady’s squad. The main issue ahead of the weekend is whether or not Limerick, the division two league champions can up their game to face Waterford of division one in a championship environment.
“There is no similarity between championship and league. In league hurling you might get away with being a little slow or missing a chance. You do not get that in championship hurling. The pace is faster. The games are more intense and your stamina will be tested. You need to be clinical at every turn. Speed of thought is crucial. You have to work as hard as you can and not give away any soft frees. Come six o’clock on Sunday we will know where Limerick hurling is.” commented Donal O’Grady, speaking to PostSport this week.
One man who will have a lot to say on how Limerick perform is Seamus Hickey. The Murroe Boher centre back, is relishing the prospect of playing championship hurling again.
“Last season gave me some perspective. The new management team we have now is amazing and we are all looking to going in the same direction. I appreciate fully what it means to play for Limerick and I am looking forward to the throw in on Sunday. We need to bring the momentum we had in the league into the championship. People will say we have something to prove, but we have just gone from one match to the other. There has been no real point to prove. My mantra is to get on with it and look forward to what is to come”
Hickey’s thoughts were echoed by team captain Gavin O’Mahony. The swashbuckingling half-back, might just be wearing the number three this weekend in Thurles, but he doesn’t mind where he plays as long as he is in green.
“I don’t mind where I play. If I get a jersey I will be happy. It was tough not to be involved last year. Watching the lads last season was tough. Preparations have been a bit stop and start with some injuries, but hurling is a squad game now and everyone is ready to play if called upon. We all played with the clubs and when we came back in we are all focused on the championship. That is what we will be rated on. If we lose on Sunday, no one will remember our league win”
O’Mahony agreed with this hack’s opinion that the time is now for Limerick to move forward and return to the top table.
“You spend six months training for this match. There will be nothing in it. We just need to compete and be there with five minutes to go. The pressure is there. It’s immense. When you represent Limerick you are honoured and privileged to be there. Last year thought me that”
With a summer to forget in 2010, can 2011 be the year?
At six o’clock on Sunday evening we will not know that answer, but we will know if the 38 year wait is nearly over.
