Limerick Hurling Team of the Decade: Right Wing Back

The decade that was 2010-2019 is fast coming to an end.

For the Limerick hurlers, it was a mixed decade that started with a protest but would ultimately deliver a first All-Ireland title in 45 years.

Overall, Limerick won one All-Ireland title, Two Munster Championships, a Division 1 League Title and A Division 2 League title.

Over the next fifteen days in the lead up to Christmas, I will select my team of the decade that saw Limerick play 40 championship games and 68 League games.

Already we have had our Goalkeeper;

Right Corner Back, Full Back & Left Corner Back;

Today we select No.5 on our team.

Right Wing Back

Diarmaid Byrnes

Patrickswell

2016-Present

Honours: All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Munster Senior Hurling Championship, Division 1 League Title, All Ireland U21 Championship, Munster U21 Championship, U21 All Star.

With just four seasons of Senior intercounty hurling under his belt, Diarmaid Byrnes has achieved his fair share.

Alongside Declan Hannon and Dan Morrissey, the Limerick half-back line was arguably their strongest link en route to the 2018 All-Ireland success.

After captaining the U21s to a first All-Ireland title in thirteen years in 2015, Byrnes made a seamless step up to the senior ranks the following year, becoming the only Limerick man to be nominated for an All Star in 2016.

A swashbuckling wing-back, Byrnes contributes his fair share of points and was the county’s designated 65′ taker for the past two seasons.

Honourable Mentions: Dan Morrissey

Morrissey will feel aggrieved to miss out after earning an All Star in 2018 but Byrnes just scrapes it.

The Ahane man’s move to wing-back has rejuvenated his county career and he has hardly put a foot wrong since nailing down that spot in 2018.