Tom Morrissey remains a key performer for Limerick.
By Cian O'Connell
March 11, 2018 is still regarded as a seminal afternoon in the development of this Limerick team.
Trailing by eight points against Galway in the Allianz Hurling League, Limerick summoned a dynamic and defiant comeback.
At the time promotion was secured, but most importantly a significant statement was made.
A couple of years later the same Limerick players continue to deliver.
"I think that was probably initially where we did garner a lot of belief, what this team is capable of, as you said, beating the reigning All-Ireland champions up in their home pitch that day," Tom Morrissey remarks.
"This year I don't think there was any real moment like that, I think we've been so consistent this year.
"We won all our League games and we've managed to do the same come Championship."
Conviction is attached to the Limerick cause under John Kiely's stewardship.
"That belief is just instilled in us now, you kind of saw it the last day against Galway and in the Munster final in the last quarter against Waterford also," Morrissey adds.
"That game was going down to the wire and this team just had the belief and the character to pull it out of the bag and to get the result that we needed on both days."
Tom Morrissey impressed for Limerick against Galway in the All Ireland SHC semi-final.
Morrissey is adamant that Kiely's passionate approach hasn't altered too much either.
"No, to be honest," Morrissey says. "As long as I've known John he's kind of always been the same manager.
"Winning is the only mentality with him, it's the only thing that really matters with him, from the Under 21 days that was blatantly obvious with his team talks before any of those games and it's still the same today.
"That is the only thing he cares about and I think it rubs off on the rest of the group.
"At the end of the day that's all a player wants and it's all a manager wants, you want to win as much as you can."
The 2019 All Ireland SHC semi-final loss to Kilkenny hurt deeply. That is why Limerick are delighted to return to Sunday's decider against Waterford at Croke Park.
"We dealt with it when we regrouped at the start of the year," Morrissey admits. "It was mentioned, losing that semi-final and obviously we just wanted to, I'm not going to say right that wrong, but we wanted to prove to ourselves that that isn't us.
"We came out and had a flat performance for the first 20 minutes and then Kilkenny being Kilkenny, they know how to win and they kept us at bay and didn't let us draw level.
"But I think it was maybe a small bit of a motivation, we wanted to go one step further. I think it was just a motivation not to let ourselves get completely dominated by a team this year, for a patch of 20 minutes or 10 minutes or whatever it is. We don't want our season to end over that."
Morrissey knows all about Waterford's pace and potential. A string of lively underage Munster matches between the counties hinted at promising futures for Limerick and Waterford. Now the Ahane clubman isn't surprised that they are seeking silverware at the highest level.
Galway's Fintan Burke under pressure from Limerick duo, Gearoid Hegarty and Tom Morrissey, in the All Ireland SHC semi-final.
"I think their work rate is obviously the one thing that's been absolutely phenomenal," Morrissey comments.
"They made things really, really difficult for us in the Munster final. To be honest, I'm not one bit shocked that we are facing them again in the All-Ireland.
"They have some top quality hurlers down there in that team. We would have played a lot against them underage, the same group, in two Munster finals and that group also won the minor All-Ireland in 2013 and won the Under 21s All-Ireland in 2016.
"If you do that with a group of players you're going to have top players in the senior team years later. We'd be very familiar with them and it's going to be another absolutely epic battle on Sunday."
These encounters in recent weeks have supplied entertainment for people throughout the world. Obviously with no spectators at the venues it is radically different, but those watching elsewhere have derived some satisfaction.
"I'm working from home here so I definitely haven't been out and about much," Morrissey explains. "It's home, training, and that's kind of the bubble you're staying in. But look, I have heard (it said) and people have text after games and it is clear to see how much people are really loving the fact that this Championship has got played.
"It's absolutely great to see that. It does bring a lot of joy to me when I see the enjoyment that people are getting from watching the games at home.
"It has given people something to talk about and something to look forward to I suppose, on that Saturday or Sunday with the coverage of games.
"There's always a number of games on each weekend and it's just fantastic for people.
"Even though I'm not out and about seeing people physically, you would be aware that there is a lot of people getting a lot of happiness and joy out of this Championship being played."
