Hannon pep talk helps to inspire comeback Limerick victory
LIMERICK captain Declan Hannon may not have had a playing role in Sunday's All-Ireland final win but the Adare man is said to have had a huge impact in the victory over Kilkenny.
Hannon was in the dressing room at half time of the final and his words to his fellow team-mates proved crucial in pushing them onto an incredible 21-point scoring spree in the second half.
"Declan wouldn't be a huge speaker but when he does speak he just commands so much respect,” said Limerick goalkeeper Nickie Quaid.
"Fellas have so much respect for him when he does speak fellas listen. I don't remember exactly what he said but when these kind of people do speak, fellas perk up and listen. Getting over the line and getting Dec up them steps again was a huge motivation."
Limerick selector Donal O'Grady also mentioned the impact that Hannon gave to the rest of the team in the dressing room at half time in Croke Park.
"When Declan talks, you listen,” O'Grady said of the Limerick captain. “It's as simple as that. He doesn't talk for the sake of it.
What he said to the lads at the time was inspiring really.
"It was hard on him. When you think about Cian (Lynch) last year, having to go up the steps without being togged and then Declan this year.
"They're such great friends as well. It was lovely to see the two of them lift the cup. It shows what it means to both of them, to be able to hand the cup to each other."
Aaron Gillane also revealed the essence of what was said by the inspirational Limerick captain when John Kiely's men were three-points down to the Cats.
"One thing that stood out was the emotion, how genuine he was when he was talking," Gillane said of Hannon. "Just how much he really wanted to help the team on the day when he couldn't on the field.
"Similar to Cian. An unbelievable leader and an unbelievable person altogether. When fellas like that are talking, you are going to listen. You're going to want to try and do something, help them and give them a bit of a pick up."
It's not known as to when Hannon will return to on-field action but his influence on Sunday, in a non-playing capacity, will always be remembered.