'I had a freshness and new lease of life coming into the club championship' says Doon captain Darragh O'Donovan

DARRAGH O'Donovan will captain Doon in this Sunday's showpiece Limerick senior hurling championship final.

Doon have suffered four county finals defeats in 1989, 2000, 2018 and 2022 and will be seeking their first title when facing Na Piarsaigh.

Limerick senior hurler O'Donovan has been delighted to put his injuries behind him. The versatile O'Donovan was sidelined with a calf injury for the majority of the inter-county season.

“It was a very frustrating inter-county season for me. I don't think, I never missed an inter-county championship game since I started out in 2016.

“It was very frustrating, but look these things happen.”

“In one sense, I had a freshness and new lease of life coming into the club championship. Sometimes after an inter-county season it can be long and draining. You've just got to take the good with the bad.”

Derek McGrath has taken over Doon this year. O'Donovan feels the Waterford man has made a significant impact.

“Derek has brought a great unity and togetherness to the group. He's a great individual. We've got a bit of luck through injuries and we've got lot young talent coming through.”

The five-time All-Ireland winner said the big target for the Doon this Sunday is to deliver a performance after their county finals defeats in 2018 and 2020.

“We want to come to the Gaelic Grounds and deliver a performance the next day. We felt in the last two finals that we haven't performed. It's a bit of inexperience too. In 2018 and ‘20, we went into those games down big players.

“If we deliver a performance, we will be satisfied, no matter what the result is. I'll be happier coming away on Sunday if I can get up on Monday morning, and look at myself in the mirror and say I gave everything for Doon.”

Doon will look to win their first county title on Sunday.

Adam English has been a standout performer for the East Limerick side scoring 2-46 to date.

“There's no doubting Adam's ability. Adam has been consistently like that for us for the last two or three years. If some of us have to carry the piano to let him play it, that's no bother at all.

“He's an incredible player and I'm just happy he's on our team and not on someone else's team,” O'Donovan said.

Doon are expecting a titantic battle from Na Piarsaigh this weekend according to the Doon senior hurling captain.

“Na Piarsaigh are the standard bearers of club hurling across Ireland. We're under no illussions what we are facing on Sunday.

“I've great respect for Na Piarsaigh as a club. If we are to get the victory, we will have to bring more than we've ever brought.

“This is the best hurling team at club level that has ever come out of Limerick. These (Na Piarsaigh) lads are some of my best friends.”