'They're in their bubble now and when you're outside it, you're outside it' - Declan Hannon on life after Limerick

FORMER Limerick All-Ireland winning centre-back Declan Hannon has opened up on life after Limerick and what his hopes are for the Treaty County this year as they look to reach hurling's summit once again.

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The 33-year-old says that he is 'settling in nicely' to life in the capital and admits that 'it's a bit different' watching his former teammates in action.

"You are totally anonymous in Dublin, it's so busy and it's so different up here that you can go to the shop without people asking you about Limerick hurling.

"I'm settling in nicely, the biggest difference would be not going training four or five nights a week, you have that extra free time and weekends are on your own clock whereas before you're on a schedule.

"It's a bit different watching the games. I haven't been able to get to any of the games because I'm in Dublin 90 percent of the time but I will and I'm looking forward to seeing them and I'm finding it fine watching them.

"I'm not sitting there praying that I was in the Gaelic Grounds or running around the place so I've accepted that easily enough," the Adare native said.

The seven-time Munster champion says that whilst he has accepted his decision to take a step back from the inter-county scene, the comradery with teammates is something that can't be replicated. 

"It is different, you'd miss the lads because they're your buddies, more so than you'd miss the trainings and games. At the same time I'm sure the summer will come around and you'd miss it when there's 40,000 people in Thurles or in the Gaelic Grounds but very much happy with the decision and have accepted the whole thing."

Whilst Hannon is based in Dublin for the most part at the moment, the three-time All-Star states he won't be transferring to a club in the capital.

"I won't be transferring to Dublin, Adare have been very good to me since I was Under 5/6 so I'm looking forward to getting back stuck in with them over the next couple of months and to try and give back as much as I can because they've done a huge amount for me so that's the plan and hopefully stay injury free."

Hannon states that he did not enter 2025 thinking it was going to be his last in a Limerick jersey and admits factors off the pitch made the decision to step away 'easier.'

"I didn't go into the year thinking it was going to be my last. I don't think anybody goes into a year like that because you're nearly wishing the year away if that's the case but after the fact I suppose you take time, life is busy outside of hurling being up in Dublin.

"Up and down that road three or four times a week isn't ideal for an inter-county player. There was a lot of things going on off the pitch that wouldn't have enabled me to give 100 percent in going back so by looking at it that way, it was an easier decision.

"I had a great time playing with Limerick over the years but it does come to an end eventually and I was conscious of leaving on my own terms and not overstaying my welcome," he said. 

The former centre-back stressed again just how much he will miss the comradery within the group. 

"Looking back on all those amazing days and sharing them with your friends and family, they're just great memories. There's an unbelievable bond there and you can't really explain it, you have to be inside there. That side will be the hardest challenge, you'll miss that comradery.

"You go from seeing these lads four or five times a week to meeting them very sporadically because they're in their bubble now and when you're outside it, you're outside it. It's obviously different this year looking on but I'm sure they will be there or there abouts."

Hannon was 'delighted' to see the return of renowned Performance Psychologist Caroline Currid to the Limerick set-up for 2026.

"I was delighted when I saw she was back. Her record speaks for itself. When she's been there with Limerick, we've won and when she hasn't been there, we haven't won. It's an amazing record to have and she'll bring another level of confidence into the group I would say.

"Having her around the place, from my experience, she puts you at ease. We all have such respect and trust in what she does and the lads will benefit hugely from having her back in the set-up."

The seven-time Munster champion states that 'there will be massive hunger there this year' in the Limerick camp as they look to bounce back from last July's disappointing All-Ireland Quarter-Final loss to Dublin in Croke Park.

"There will be massive hunger there this year. It ended disappointingly last year but on the day against Dublin they were just deserved winners. We couldn't look back and that we deserved to win that game but that's the level of the inter-county scene, if you're any bit off, you'll be beaten and Dublin were deserved winners. 

"There will definitely be a bit of hurt and anger there but the boys are so experienced that they know it's just about performing on the day and trying to transfer that hurt and hunger into a performance so I'm looking forward to seeing how that pans out over the next few months. 

"I think the lads will very much be putting their hands up for accolades come the end of the year. I think they will be there or there abouts because of the standard of player, the standard of person in that group. There's a lot of really, really good players there.

"The last few years probably didn't go to plan but those players haven't turned bad or anything overnight so there's plenty there to be optimistic about," the two-time National League winner concluded.