Na Piarsaigh captain Mike Casey: 'You take massive pride in that, you're captain of your club'

NA Piarsaigh senior hurling captain Mike Casey feels it is important to embrace the build-up to this weekend's Limerick senior hurling championship final

“You try and embrace it, you try and look for the bunting around the place. You try and soak in the atmosphere. These days aren't around forever.

“Na Piarsaigh was very scarce of these days 14 years ago. 2011 was the first time, we won a final. We're trying to embrace every single one of them and treat every one individually. It's definitely a nice time to be involved and to see the people around the club.”

Casey is enjoying his role as a captain of the reigning county champions.

“You take massive pride in that, you're captain of your club. That's something that you can always say. Last year, I had the privilege of lifting the Daly Cup. Hopefully I can do the same on Sunday.”

Na Piarsaigh are bidding to win three county titles in-a-row for the first time in their history.

“I think you park it. It would obviously be unbelievable to do it but it hasn't been mentioned. I know it's a cliche, but it is literally game on game and we looked at this as a single game.”

Injuries have played a part in Na Piarsaigh's run to the county final. David Dempsey missed the semi-final through injury. Peter Casey remains sidelined with the ankle injury he picked up playing with Limerick in the Munster championship. Adrian Breen missed the early rounds of the championship.

“Every year we've had injuries. I reckon, the 2020 final was the only time we had a full strength Na Piarsaigh team. That's part and parcel of the game. It's just next man up and it's just testament to the players we have available to us” said Casey.

JJ Carey, Dylan Lynch, Keith Dempsey and Wayne Kearns are some of the younger players who have stepped up this year.

“They're not young kids any more. Yes they're young, but they're trying to step up. When we started breaking into the Na Piarsaigh's teams in 2013 and 2014, we were young kids as well. You sink or swim and the boys are doing a fantastic job for us at the moment. I hope that continues.”

The Limerick senior hurler feels Shane O'Neill has been able to get the best out of this group. O'Neill has guided his club to four Limerick senior hurling championship titles. Na Piarsaigh clubman John Fitzgerald has been a key part of the management team.

“They just leave no stone unturned. Two years ago, when they took over they asked us a group where do ye want to go and the group has responded to that. He really leads it to being player-driven and if the players want to drive it, he's just going to facilitate that.

“He's really calm and cool in the message he's trying to deliver. He doesn't overcomplicate things. He's been an excellent asset. The players definitely respond well to him.”

Former Galway goalkeeper Colm Callanan and highly renowned strength and conditioning coach Lukasz Kirszenstein are also part of the city-based club's management team.

Casey is expecting an intense battle from Doon.

“They've been excellent this year. They are probably going to carry the favourites tag in. That's something that we would normally be accustomed too.

“That's a different pressure for us and them. They play a good system and they're really good at it. There's going to be massive intensity from word go.”

Mike's brother Peter Casey is making progress from the ankle injury he picked up with Limerick while playing against against Waterford.

“He's working away in the background. He's chomping at the bit and he's mad to get going,” Mike Casey said.