'There's a different kind of buzz this year' - Limerick Sport Eagles captain Ronan Cregan

LIMERICK Sport Eagles captain Ronan Cregan says that his side have recovered well from 'a tricky enough' start to the season as the Eagles continue to go from strength to strength in this season's Domino's Division One league campaign.

The Eagles are well in the mix at the summit of the Division One table and captain Cregan says the team have 'found themselves' as the season has progressed. 

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"We had a tricky enough start to the season, I think we were two games into the season until we had our full team. It took a little while to get used to playing with each other. We had a few new faces come in in the summer so that took a bit of getting used to.

"However, as we play more and more and as we train more and more, we have found ourselves and we are playing the way we should be playing. We are in good from at the moment and hopefully we can keep that going."

Cregan says that this season's Domino's Division One campaign is as competitive as it's been in quite some time. 

"It's the most competitive the league has been in a long time. When you come into every season, usually you can pick the few favourites but that's not the case at all this year, it's anyone's game which is great. 

"I'm always going to back ourselves of course but it's good that the league is as competitive as it is this season. Teams are operating at such a high level and our training sessions have been really intense. So much so that when it comes to matches, they almost feel easy in comparison.

"We've a young team this year but everyone wants to win, everyone wants to play, everyone's mentality is great so it's a nice environment to be in definitely," he explained. 

As well as enjoying a positive league campaign, the Eagles are also eyeing a Division One Cup semi-final next month against Dublin's Templeogue.

The tie will be played on the weekend of January 2/3/4 and should the Limerick-based side progress, they will face either Drogheda Wolves or Ulster University in the decider in Dublin. 

Cregan says that playing in and preparing for the cup is completely different to the league and states that whilst promotion n the league is a massive target for the club this year, they also have their sights set on potential cup glory.

"Preparing for and playing in the cup is quite different to the league, it's do or die, it's knock out from the start and it's a different beast.

"Even growing up watching games, the cup semi-final weekend in January was always one you'd look forward to and it's the same with the cup finals at the end of January in Dublin.

"It's different, I don't know what it is about the cup but it's the thing most kids growing up would want to win. Promotion in the league would obviously be our target for this season but winning the cup would be very, very special." 

The Eagles stalwart says that 'absolutely anything' in cup competitions and both he and his team are under no illusions as to how stern the Templeogue test will be. 

"In the cup, absolutely anything can happen. Anyone can knock anyone out on the day. We played them early on into the season and we managed to win but they were still finding their feet.

"They had a shot to win it at the end, it was a very close game and it will be no different down in Cork. Both teams have improved a lot since then so it'll be a good match up but if we play the way I know we can play, I'm confident we can get the win."

Overall, Cregan says that the club as a whole are enjoying the season so far, stating that 'there's a different kind of buzz this year.'

"We're loving it. I've been playing a while now so I've seen the highs and the lows of it all but this season has been great. The squad we have, with the new lads coming in there's a different kind of buzz this year. 

"We've been well looked after by everyone involved, from our coaching staff to our sponsors. Parkes Properties, The School Food Company and BJF Research and Development have been brilliant with us this year. 

"Everyone just wants to win and everyone wants to play. The competitiveness within the team is really good and that's maybe something we were lacking last year so it's just been fantastic," he said.