LISTEN: Declan Hannon relishing “ferocious” Cork challenge

Having burst onto the scene with Ard Scoil Rís, Declan Hannon was thrust straight into the senior team on his first year out of minor. Originally he was played in various position in the forward line where he demonsrated aspects of his promise but never made people stand up and take notice.

When John Kiely was drafted in as Limerick manager, one of his first priorities was to shift the Adare man to centre back where he so often played for his club Adare or college Mary I. The move worked a treat with Hannon exceptional in the clash against Kilkenny last summer in Nowlan Park.

Hannon has continued in a similar vein this term, and as captain of the side, he is able to lead from No.6. When asked about re-converting to the position, Hannon was simple in his answer, acknowledging that he is happy to do a job anywhere on the field for Limerick.

“I grew up playing there with the club, and schools and colleges so. I mean it doesn’t matter where you’re put, you’ve to try do a job the best you can, if you don’t there’s two or three lads on the sideline chomping at the bit to get on.”

“I remember getting the phone call a little over two years ago now and we discussed it. John rang me, and I said I’d give it a go and we’re happy enough at the minute.”

Although Hannon is only 25 years of age, he is an elder statesman on the Limerick team. This experience will be crucial come Sunday as he alongside Nickie Quaid are the only players that started the defeat against Kilkenny that have played in Croke Park for a Limerick senior hurling team. Hannon started the All-Ireland Semi-Finals against Clare in 2013 and against Kilkenny the following year and he will have learned hwo to cope with the expectations of being in the last four.

This experience has seen him lead this team so far with maturity far beyond his years. This Limerick side, despite its age profile are very composed and have come from behind a number of teams this year. Hannon says this composure is driven by the hard-work of the players.

“I think we’ve shown so far in the league and championship that when teams got a run on us, we’ve stayed really composed and that’s just down to the hard work of the lads on the field, the likes of Tom (Morrissey) in the half forward line working back, makes our job a lot easier.”

As for Cork, Hannon is keen to face the rebels after being substituted within the opening ten minutes in Pairc Ui Chaoimh in June through injury. He cites Cork as the form team in the country as they come into the game as back to back Munster champions. They will be out to right the wrongs of last years semi-final loss to Waterford and Hannon is well aware of the threat they will possess in Croker.

“Its going to be a ferocious challenge. Cork are unbeaten this year, they’re the form team. They have been the most consistent of all the teams this year. Its going to take a mammoth effort from all of us in Limerick to try keep pace with them. If we are there or there-about in the last 10 or 15 minutes, we’ll be giving it everything.”

Click below to listen to the interview in full.