LISTEN – Tom Morrissey on claiming Limerick’s number 12 jersey

Limerick forward Tom Morrissey has been a key forward for John Kiely’s senior hurlers throughout this campaign and helped his side to get over the line against Kilkenny in the All Ireland quarter-final at Semple Stadium.

The 22-year-old Ahane club man finished his underage career as an All Ireland winning U21 captain and quickly turned attentions to making his mark on the senior team during the Munster Hurling League last year.

“I got my jersey against Cork down in Mallow. For me it was a chance, you get the jersey and hold on to it. John has really brought in that element of it, if you are playing well you will maintain that jersey. Since then I made the number 12 jersey a target of mine that I wanted for each game and at the minute it seems to be going well for me on the pitch and long may it continue.”

Nine players from last year’s All Ireland success started in the quarter-final win over Kilkenny but Morrissey says that all of the underage success must be left firmly in the past when stepping up to the senior ranks.

However, he does feel that he and his former U21 teammates did help to bring through a winning culture into the side and have complimented the more experienced members of the panel.

“When you finish your under age career a light dawns on you that you need to step up to the next level. As a group any of the young lads that were part of that under 21’s success last year realized that that was in the past. So far this year we’ve really extended that culture that was created and it’s brought a bit of belief and confidence. There is a bit of a step up but I think that everyone has made it and is looking forward to continuing it.”

“That under 21 team was a completely separate team. We have huge experience in lads like Declan (Hannon), Séamus Hickey, Tom Condon. I think there’s a good blend at the moment between the experienced lads and youth coming through. We’ve really bonded and I think that showed the last day against Kilkenny.”

Morrissey faces into just his second appearance for the senior side at Croke Park, the last was a league tie back in 2015.

“It’s another pitch it’s another stadium I think that’s more for the supporters to get excited about – going up to Croker. For us we have a job to do, we’re there in a match that we’re trying to win and that’s all we’re focused on.” Says the half forward.

A win over Cork would bring Limerick to a first All Ireland final in eleven years, however, Morrissey says that won’t come into the thinking for this treaty side.

“Again, I think that’s more the supporters and the media will be talking about. When we go into a match it really is a one game at a time mentality. When we play Cork we want to beat Cork on that day and there’s no looking beyond that.”

Listen to the full interview below.