Barry Hennessy: "Limerick will need to be at their best to see off Clare in Ennis"

FORMER Limerick goalkeeper Barry Hennessy believes John Kiely's side will need to be at their best to get a result this Sunday against Clare in the highly-anticipated opening round Munster Senior Hurling Championship fixture in Ennis.

Hennessy says that Limerick know that unless they perform and bring their best that there’s going to be very little in it and that they can’t afford to not turn up.

Limerick and Clare is an intense rivalry, according to the former Limerick shotstopper.

“I expect it to be no different this weekend and for both teams just to go at it. It’s probably the most exciting time of the year.”
Last year Clare narrowly defeated Limerick in the round-robin series but the Shannonsiders got their revenge against Brian Lohan’s side by a single point in the Munster final played at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

John Kiely’s side are aiming to win a sixth Munster title in a row this year along with completing a historic fifth All-Ireland title in a row which no hurling team has achieved before.

Hennessy announced his inter-county retirement from hurling in 2022. The Kilmallock man is still playing club hurling along with managing Kerry side Lixnaw.

The goalkeeper is relatively new to management and has leaned on the Limerick senior hurling management team for some advice.

“I’ve spoken to a couple of the selectors and Paul Kinnerk. You appreciate any texts back. At the end of year, when things quieten I’ll touch base with them, maybe pose a question if you need a second set of eyes on something.

“They’re very good with their time that way but in season I’d leave them alone because there’s enough people pulling off them without adding an extra layer of pressure.’’

Despite a disappointing defeat in the league semi-final against Kilkenny, Hennessy still feels the Limerick senior hurling squad are in a great place heading into the Munster championship opener against Clare in Ennis, with the likes of Fergal O’Connor, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Adam English and Cathal O’Neill all having impressive performances throughout the Allianz Hurling League campaign.

“Everything now is about them enjoying each others company and realising that this is what all the hard work was for at the start of year.’’

Humility and versatility are the two most impressive attributes which makes this Limerick team such a force to be reckoned with, said the 34-year-old.

“There is a great level of humility in the Limerick camp and they’re very aware that there is a puck of ball between the top teams on any day. It’s a skillset a lot of these lads would have come through the academy and I just think it’s way hurling has gone, you have to be comfortable with whatever position you find yourself in.''

“They know what their roles and jobs are and I think that’s where the versatility comes from.’’

Since retiring from playing inter-county hurling, Barry Hennessy has been adjusting to life as a Limerick supporter.

“It’s strange alright, there’s a couple of games where you’re in the stand and you’re listening to people giving out about mistakes. You’re trying to bite your lip not to bite back at them.''

“From being involved, you know what the lads are trying to do and once you were part of the group you will always defend the lads. It’s different but enjoyable.’’

While there will be an added pressure with the talk of the five-in-a-row this year, Hennessy feels the current All-Ireland champions are more than capable of climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand later this summer once again.

“You would love to see them make history. You’ve got seven or eight other counties there and any opportunity they’ve got to have a go at the All–Ireland champions, you know that they’re going to throw the kitchen sink at them.''

“There’s that occasion when teams play Limerick. Limerick are absorbing that and still continuing to go forward and that’s one of the most impressive things about this group.''

“I do believe there’s another one there if they keep working as hard as they’ve been working.’’