Return of Caroline Currid helps Limerick’s hurling warriors back to the very top
A presence in all the All-Ireland successes, an absence in the years where Liam MacCarthy didn’t winter Shannonside
A POINT that John Kiely made more than once on Sunday and throughout the season was about the people involved with the Limerick squad who hadn’t experienced an All-Ireland final before.
While a number of players have six medals, around half the panel were experiencing the biggest day in hurling for the first time last Sunday. Add to that some of the backroom team, like coach Liam Cronin, who weren’t involved in the 2023 success and Sunday saw a lot of people earn their first Celtic Cross.
One returning member of the backroom team was psychologist Caroline Currid. A presence in all the All-Ireland successes, an absence in the years where Liam MacCarthy didn’t winter Shannonside.
Hugely popular with the players, the Sligo native is also a fan favourite. When name-checked by Cian Lynch in his victory speech on Sunday, the crowd erupted when her name was mentioned.
"We’re just privileged and honoured to have you part of our group, Caroline,” Lynch said from the steps of the Hogan Stand. "Your knowledge, your information that you share with us... but you’re just that mother figure.
"You’re someone that we can lean on, outside of sport and in our lives in general, and we really do appreciate you, so thank you, Caroline," he added.
Manager Kiely also spoke highly of her in his post-game media duties.
“Caroline has made a huge impact with the work that she’s done with the players since coming in,” said Kiely. “So I have to salute that. In terms of player availability. It’s very difficult, in an intense season like the current set-up, to keep players fit, healthy and well.”
It’s not just with the Shannonsiders that she has won titles.
Currid has won All-Ireland titles in a similar role with the Tyrone and Dublin footballers as well as the Tipperary hurlers.
After the 2018 All-Ireland win former Premier manager Liam Sheedy spoke praised her influence on changing the Shannonsiders’ attitude and helping them believe they belonged at the top table.
"She deserves massive credit, that is four times now,” Sheedy said. Tyrone, Dublin, (Tipp) and Limerick.
“I do think the Limerick teams over the years didn't have the inner belief but they went behind to Kilkenny, went behind to Cork. There is no doubt about it, she has worked on their inner strengths. Their mindset today was 'we are coming up here to play.'”
The Limerick captain that day was Declan Hannon and he was full of praise for the role Currid played in the success.
"She has just been phenomenal with us for the last two years,” he said at the time. “She has always been there for us, always there to keep us up and pick us up when we are down.
“She's after inheriting 36 new babies!"