Seoirse Bulfin: ‘We are absolutely blessed to have what we have in Limerick ’

SEOIRSE Bulfin is one of the most renowned hurling coaches across the country.

Bruff native Bulfin has worked closely with current Waterford senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald between 2008 and 2011, with Clare between 2011 and 2016 where the Banner won an All-Ireland in 2013 and with Wexford between 2016 and 2021.

There was an opportunity for the Limerick man to work with Fitzgerald at Waterford second time round but that was an opportunity he turned down.

The former Clare senior hurling coach decided to get a taste for management where he was Meath senior hurling manager in 2023, but last March Bulfin stepped down from the role due to family and work commitments.

“There was an opportunity to go with Davy to Waterford. I spoke to Davy at length about it. The opportunity was to go to Waterford from a coaching point of view or to go to Meath as a manager. I just chose the opportunity to manage and see how that went.”

It was a difficult decision for the former Wexford senior hurling coach. “It was a difficult decision because you were dropping down the levels to go managing.”

Seoirse Bulfin hasn't stopped. He is involved with Charleville in Cork as manager of the club and is involved with Feenagh Kilmeedy in West Limerick who are a junior club. Bulfin expects at some stage to be back involved in inter-county management whether that's coaching or managing.

The success the Limerick senior hurlers have brought to supporters has been incredible, said the Bruff man. “We grew up in the 1980's and 90's going to matches and I came out of Thurles and Cork with floods of tears as a child having lost to Tipp, Cork or Waterford. I've three daughters at the moment and they don't know what it's like for Limerick to lose or not be involved in All-Ireland's really.

“The eldest two were at the final in 2018 and the last few years we've gotten the youngest girl to a few because you just don't know when it's going to end. It's just phenomenal. Hurling has exploded in the county.

“We are absolutely blessed to have what we have in Limerick at the moment arguably the greatest team of all time. And if they can do five-in-a-row, there's a strong argument that they are the greatest hurling team of all time. It's just been absolutely magic. All kids want to do is hurl across the county.

Sean Finn is a clubmate of Bulfin's in Bruff. Finn is in a battle to be fit for this weekend's clash against Waterford on Sunday in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. The corner back was forced off against Cork with a hamstring injury.

“We are all probably waiting to hear the nature of the hamstring injury. For himself, personally it's very disappointing because he's worked so hard. It could be anytime of the day and you're popping up to the field, you see Sean going in or coming out of the gym.

“The one thing I would say about Sean is that the kids love him and he always has time for them whether it be young or old. For Limerick, he's a huge loss you probably have him out and you add in Peter Casey. The bigger picture is there huge losses for Limerick. From knowing Sean he's a cool customer and he's very dedicated and hopefully he'll be back soon.”

After the Cork defeat, Limerick are still favourites to win All-Ireland this year according to Bulfin but he expects Limerick and Waterford to go right down to the wire.