Limerick minor manager Pat Donnelly.
By Cian O'Connell
It has been a story about Limerick’s resilience and resourcefulness so manager Pat Donnelly is 'proud' that the Treaty boys will contest an Electric Ireland MHC Final.
Two months ago on July 10 Tipperary cruised to a surprisingly emphatic 1-24 to 0-10 Munster decider success over Limerick.
Donnelly is heartened by Limerick’s signs of recovery since that harrowing loss. “It is great for the lads and the whole set up to be preparing for an All Ireland Final,” Donnelly admits.
“The response was excellent, but to be honest I expected that response. We let ourselves down hugely in the Munster Final, we knew we weren’t as bad as we performed that day.
“We did well against Wexford, we got the result which was the most important thing and we built on that then against Dublin.
“You’d have to look back at it. There is no point in hiding it because they know what happened. They want to rectify it, they have done that so far. We couldn’t see it coming, but it is up to us now to deliver a performance at Croke Park.”
Significant work is being carried out by Limerick’s underage Academy, which is now being spearheaded by Anthony Daly, who is also a minor selector.
Pat Donnelly and selector Anthony Daly following the Electric Ireland MHC Semi-Final win.
“The set-up is very good,” Donnelly acknowledges. “The Academy is in place for the guts of five years now in Limerick. The clubs have produced these players from under 6- under 14. The structure of the Academy in Limerick is crucial.
“All the tournaments we were in last weekend the teams played well. We had no outright winners, but we had players playing and competing at the highest level.”
Donnelly has been involved with various Limerick teams during the past decade. “I was manager of the Sonny Walsh team and we have worked with the majority of this group right through from 15s, 16s, and 17s.
“When we set out at under 14 the Minor All Ireland was a long way away, but what I remember is being in UL and the under 14s seeing the minor team there.
“You’d be thinking that hopefully one day you’d see these lads playing at Croke Park and winning an All Ireland was the ultimate goal.
“It has been a great pleasure. Everyone says things about the group they’ve been involved with, but over the last five years these guys have been top class.
“The Academy has developed them and it is a reward for all the teachers, coaches, and parents who have helped them to get to this stage.”
