WATCH: “It’s just a desire to be better” | Tom Morrissey not resting on his laurels after third All-Ireland success

After waiting 45 years for a title, Tom Morrissey’s goal in the 2018 All-Ireland final was crucial in helping Limerick to end their lengthy Liam MacCarthy famine.

Since then, the Ahane man has played his part in helping the Shannonsiders to back to back All-Ireland triumphs, scoring 0-3 in their latest win.

Nonetheless, the wing-forward says the current Limerick side aren’t satisfied with what they have achieved thus far, despite waiting almost a half century for a title.

“It’s just that desire to be better. If you’re not moving forward then you are going to be passed out. You’re always going to be hungry if you want to improve.

“With all the additions to the panel and people chasing your spot, if you have that desire to be a better hurler and a better athlete then you can always improve on all different facets to your game off the pitch and on the pitch, whether it be sleep or nutrition or in the gym, your hurling ability. It’s just that desire to be better. If you’re not moving forward then you are going to be passed out.”

Many will argue that Limerick should have been chasing a four in a row in Croke Park, with the only blip in their 2018-2021 championship resumé, the 2019 All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kilkenny.

On that day in Croke Park, Brian Cody’s side were ravenous in the tackle, putting the Limerick men on the back foot from the first whistle.

Something that has since been a staple of Kiely side.

But while Morrissey acknowledges the impact of the defeat on the side, he says they have stopped short of using it as motivation.

“No, I wouldn’t say we use it. We lost that day, we weren’t good enough. Yeah, we did look back on it and assessed it but no different to any game, win, lose or draw, and we look for improvements.

“That’s all we did with that 2019 semi-final. We did that but it wouldn’t have been a driving motivation or anything looking back on it. The nature we have as a group is just constant improvement and that’s all we took from that semi final loss.”

Throughout the year Limerick have lived life on the line, with a couple of red cards early on in the season.

Since then the side have been able to implement their ferocious tackling on opponents while maintaining their discipline.

But Morrissey has outlined that the side don’t have an edge, it is merely a desire for workrate that is essential to make the team.

“I wouldn’t say we have an edge. Yeah, we go after tackles and if we are smaller than the opposition then we go after tackles as well. That’s just part of what we want to do. You’re not going to get onto the team unless you are prepared to work for the team.

“That’s something we pride ourselves on. The team comes first. It’s not just all about getting on the ball and easy scores. You have to put in a big shift if you want to get on the pitch in a 1-15 jersey.”

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And in a side that is so talented and willing to work for others, when it clicks it is simply unstoppable, as Limerick were on Sunday.

“When we get going and get into a game we can be hard to stop . We got into a good flow and got scores. We pride ourselves on our work-rate, first and foremost.”

And it is statements like that why Limerick have won three All-Ireland’s in four years.

It is once again up to the chasing pack to attempt to reach that level.