‘You’re trying to make the most of it while you can’ | Nickie Quaid on enjoyment at Limerick training and split season benefits

The Effin goalkeeper has been playing intercounty hurling with Limerick since February of 2010.

Limerick will kick off their 2023 campaign this Sunday when they face Cork in their first game of the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League.

The clash with the Rebels, who are under new management this year in Pat Ryan, will be the Shannonsiders’ first appearance since July which was their electric All-Ireland final clash with Kilkenny where they claimed their fourth Liam McCarthy cup in five years.

And John Kiely’s men are looking to make history this year and complete a four-in-a-row triumph in terms of the All-Ireland Championship and are favourites to do so yet again. Which begs the question, is this success a key motivator to keep returning back to intercounty each year?

Despite the amount of time away from family and the gruelling number of training sessions between both club and county, Limerick goalkeeper Nickie Quaid believes the enjoyment is what brings him back each year. He understands that a career can be cut short very easily and is making the most of his while he can.

“It’s probably the enjoyment of it more so than anything, we really enjoy our lads’ company and going training and then obviously just trying to improve and to keep improving year in year out.

“The lads know that fella’s careers could be short so you’re trying to make the most of it while you can and we’ve a good group at the moment so we’re just trying to I suppose raise the standards for that and hopefully keep the thing going forward.”

The 33-year-old, who lines out for Effin at club level, played his part in their first season back at Premier Intermediate where they clinched a top-four spot before losing 1-18 to 0-15 in the semi-final to eventual champions Monaleen.

The new split-season allowed Quaid to play a sustained period of hurling with his club which wouldn’t have been possible in years previous. The two-time All-Star admits he enjoyed the new format of the season as it allowed him to train with his club for a ‘sustained period of time’.

“It has its pros and cons but it is enjoyable that, when the intercounty season is over, you get a good sustained period with the club. Before, you might’ve played league with Limerick and next thing you’re straight back into 10 days of training and then you’re back for two club championship matches and you’re gone again for a few weeks whereas this time you had a sustained period to play all of your Championship games and you’re training with the club the whole time.

“And it is nice like that to get back and training with the lads at home and you feel that you can give that little bit more to the club when you’re there for a period of time”

Limerick face Cork on the 15th of January in their opening game of the 2023 Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League.