“Workrate comes first and foremost, hurling follows” | Tom Morrissey on the key cog in the Limerick machine

A third All-Ireland win since 2018 for Limerick and as half forward Tom Morrissey said, ‘any All-
Ireland is a special moment for a team, this year is no different.’

“We just won an All Ireland so that’s a good day in someone’s life. The dressing room is hopping
down there and we are a happy bunch,” he continued.

The man from Ahane put in a strong performance against Cork, defending from the front and racking
up three scores from play in a typical all action display.

It’s a pleasure to win an All-Ireland but to do so with your brother playing behind you at full back is a
‘special moment’ said the 25-year-old.

“We’re a very close group, every member of that panel and the backroom team. To play with Dan is
special. We probably don’t notice it as much. The family get more excited about it than we do but
it’s definitely a nice moment and one we’ll look back on with a lot of pride in the future.”

Morrissey has played out of his skin throughout the summer and it’s no secret that John Kiely’s
tutelage has played a part in that.

The pair first worked together when Tom was part of the under 21 team that beat Wexford to win
an All-Ireland in 2015.

Morrissey had been called up to the senior squad alongside Cian Lynch earlier that year but it was
with Kiely that the Ahane native really hit his form.

The wing-forward didn’t start either of the championship games in Kiely’s first year in charge but by
the All-Ireland winning campaign the following year he was one of the sides main lieutenants.

Commenting on his relationship with the Galbally man, Morrissey said

“My first year involved with John was 2015 and we had a successful year that year with the under
21’s. I was obviously delighted that he got the senior role then, it’s been a good time since.”

This current side is no doubt blessed with some exceptional hurlers which is demonstrated in the
fact that just four of yesterday’s XV are without an All-Star, although Barry Nash, Darragh
O’Donovan, William O’Donoghue and Peter Casey are likely to right that later in the year.

However, the standout trait of Kiely’s men is their insatiable appetite for work.

It is well established by now that Limerick’s first port of defence is the full forward line with Morrissey saying that hurling is secondary to work rate.

“That desire to be a better hurler, better athlete. You can always improve on so many different
facets of your game, off the pitch and on the pitch. Whether that be sleep, nutrition, athletically in
the gym or hurling ability.”

“We pride ourselves on our work rate and that’s first and foremost. The hurling follows. You’re not
going to get on the team unless you’re willing to work for the team. “

For the third time in four years, it is Limerick that stand atop the pile in the hurling landscape and
with the vast majority of players, Morrissey included, the right side of 26, there could be plenty
more success to come.