Declan Hannon is a role model for young hurlers in Adare says Wayne McNamara

FORMER Limerick hurler Wayne McNamara said Declan Hannon’s career was defined not only by his success on the field but also by the manner in which he carried himself throughout the fifteen seasons he lined out with the Limerick senior hurlers. 

"Declan has given us some great memories, it's hard to put into words the scale of what he has accomplished. Not just in terms of medals and milestones but just the way he carried himself throughout his career and to play fifteen years at the top level is rare and a remarkable achievement," Wayne McNamara told Leader Sport. 

McNamara has played inter-county hurling with Hannon and they have also played club hurling together with Adare.

"And to be a captain and a leader in one of the most succesful hurling teams is a credit to him. I don't think it will be replicated for a long time and all stars nominations in both defence and attack shows his ability as an all around hurler."

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Hannon had an impressive record as a captain during his career. In 2008 he captained Ardscoil Rís to a Dean Ryan Cup and in 2010 and 2011 he went on to win back-to-back Harty Cups with Ardscoil Rís. In 2016 Hannon was a joint captain alongside Richie English when they led Mary Immaculate College to their first ever Fitzgibbon Cup. 

"He was captain from a young age, captaining Ardscoil Rís to a Harty Cup, captaining Mary I to a Fitzgibbon Cup and going on to captain Limerick. It speaks volumes of his character and the respect he earns from coaches and players," said McNamara. 

In 2011, McNamara has fond memories of Declan Hannon making his debut for Limerick against Wexford in an All-Ireland qualifier. Hannon was still in leaving cert when he made his inter-county debut for the Shannonsiders. 

"I remember when he came into the Limerick squad, it was just after the leaving cert. He scored nine points on his debut including a sideline cut which he probably wouldn't be known for. He just the ability to perform on a day and he wasn't really phased by anything at that level. I suppose, when you have an eighteeen year old club mate coming into an inter-county set up, I would have felt a certain level of responsibilty to make sure he settled in but there was never a worry about Declan."

McNamara has described his clubmate as an easy going person. 

"He is an easy going, smart guy that just got on with everyone. He always let his hurling do the talking and playing with him was very easy. One of the things I always admired about him whenever there was chaos around him, he had that ability to make it look like he had time and space. And only the best players can potray that aura, it's sad to see him gone from Limerick but as an Adare person I don't think he realises how proud we are of him for both what he's done and how he's done it."

2018 was a special memory for Adare when Declan Hannon brought the Liam MacCarthy cup back to their club said McNamara.

"As a village, you couldn't forget the night he brought out the Liam MacCarthy Cup to Adare. Incredible memories, that all parishes dream of and this village in county Limerick is now home to an All-Ireland winning captain," he said. 

McNamara feels that Hannon has inspired the younger generation of hurlers in Adare. 

"Declan is a role model for the younger guys coming through, once you mention the name Declan to a younger guy they stand up and kind of gasp. It has had a fantstic positive effect on the underage and it will takes few years for us see to the value in Declan playing for Limerick in the underage set-up. There is plenty of kids in Adare trying to emulate Declan did."