Barry Hennessy: 'Nickie's standards are just incredible'

FORMER Limerick goalkeeper Barry Hennessy has backed Nickie Quaid to come back stronger than ever from his ACL injury.

“The condition this guy keeps himself in year around, I think he'll actually come back stronger than ever. It's probably an unforced break in one way. The last time he had a break was 2015 and it might bring a little bit of freshesness. It might extend his career by three or four years,” Barry Hennessy told Leader Sport this week.

Hennessy was the back-up keeper to Quaid throughout his inter-county career. The Kilmallock man knows very well how Quaid has set the standard when it comes to hurling.

“I was disappointed for him (injury). You couldn't meet a nicer guy. The standards Nickie has set are just incredible. I thought it was one of his best years this year.

“He's a pivotal player for Limerick. No disrepect to the other lads who did ACLs but you probably had a depth chart there of five or six players. With the goalkeeper being so unique you only have a handful lads going for that one spot.”

In a statement, the management team confirmed that Quaid underwent a scan on Friday last that confirmed he had ‘suffered an ACL injury’.

The management team wished Nicky Quaid “the very best in his recovery and assure him of our total support in  the months ahead.”

At the start of this month, goalkeeper Nickie Quaid won his third hurling All-Star award after enjoying another hugely impressive year between the posts for John Kiely's Limerick side. 

Effin clubman Quaid has won five All-Ireland senior hurling medals as well as seven Munster championship titles and three National League medals.

Quaid lined out at centre half-back for his club Effin throughout the Limeirck premier intermediate hurling championship this year. They were defeated by Newcastle West in the semi-final stage.

Hennessy feels that Nickie Quaid has benefited from lining out in a outfield position for his club.

“I think that's what makes Nickie such a good goalkeeper, the fact he plays out the field for the club. His hurling is so good out the field, he understands space.

“I actually think it's made him a better goalkeeper. He's transferred that into the goalkeeping side of things. You have to go back a long time to where Nickie Quaid has made a mistake. It's a credit to him.”

The Quaid name is steeped in Limerick hurling with Tommy, Nickie and Joe all lining out in goals in the green and white jersey.

Jason Gillane, David McCarthy, Pierce Connery and Fionn O'Brien are just some of the players who could take up the mantle of Limerick's number one jersey in 2025.

“There's no shortage of quality there. There is a massive opportunity for whoever is looking for it. You'd hope for people to have patience and to let that person grow. I hope they do hit the ground running. There will be mistakes there. I've no doubt Nickie will help mentor them” said Hennessy.