Byrnes relishes the Big Occasions

THERE is nothing to beat a packed sports venue! Thatโ€™s the view for terrific Limerick defender Diarmuid Byrnes, deservingly of All-Star recognition for the past couple of seasons.

Like a gladiator going into the Colosseum, he wants a packed stadium and wants it to be as intense as possible. “That’s the kind of individual that I am, I suppose,โ€ he previously enthused, and can in these more regular times enjoy playing in front of a sell-out 82,300 against Kilkenny in a mouth-watering final at Croker this Sunday.

โ€œNo matter where I go Iโ€™m the sort of person who, if it’s even a Munster League match, sell it out if you can or get the atmosphere going the best you can,โ€ said Byrnes.

โ€œNot that I thrive off it or need it or anything, but I train four or five nights a week pre-season for these days so why not let it be the best occasion it can be?โ€

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Happy to discuss hurling for the most part with customers, itโ€™s unlikely that Byrnes will be on front-desk duty this week through his job at AIB on Limerickโ€™s Oโ€™Connell Street.

As for the hype associated with big match days, he revealed: โ€œIโ€™d always be a relaxed person. Whether itโ€™s the day before a game or day after a game, I wouldnโ€™t get too hyped up. Itโ€™s important to enjoy the moment rather than think about what you’re going to do after a game or four or five nights leading into the game dreaming about little things that could happen.

โ€œThis could happen, that could happen. Itโ€™s better to just enjoy the moment, living in the present, and not think too far ahead. You can never predict the outcome. So, live in the moment and enjoy it.โ€