How winning the All-Ireland helped Declan Hannon slay the demons of 2013

Declan Hannon has squeezed so much into his inter-county career, it's hard to believe Limerick's fearless leader is only 25.

He made his debut as a sprightly 18 year old, and admits to having gone through tough times representing the Treaty county.

"It's been tough at times, definitely. I was just 18 when I first went in and it was grand for a few years and then there was a few dull years and they're tough going because it's not for the lack of trying or anything like that." "Looking back, it was the same amount of training going on and the same effort but it just wasn't working on the field for us. It's hard, like. You're getting abused left, right, and centre and that made this year all the sweeter I suppose when you've gone through the tough times."

Hannon knows all too well how tough life as an inter-county player can be, especially in a place as unforgiving as Limerick. After winning the Munster championship in 2013, the Treaty men where expected to push on and challenge for an All-Ireland, but fell short in the semi final against eventual champions Clare. For Hannon, that defeat really stung.

"It was tough, like. I kind of got a fair bit of flak after that for a few months and you were nearly embarrassed to go places and see people. You'd just be disappointed because you'd feel like you let the whole county down.  "I suppose in 2013 Limerick were on such a high after winning the Munster Final and the place was kind of gone mad because this was the year we were meant to win the All-Ireland.  "And then for it all to come crashing down the way it did was hard to take as well. It took a long time, now (to get over)."

The Adare man admits that the demons of 2013 stayed with him right up until they ended their 45-year wait for an All-Ireland earlier this year.

 "Probably until I was actually involved with winning an All-Ireland with Limerick I wouldn't ever have gotten over that.  "I didn't want to be remembered for the Clare match in 2013. "Thankfully we won the All-Ireland this year and it's only now I can move on from that."

Despite his age, Hannon is one of the older heads on the team, and admits that the younger lads haven't had to endure those tough times.

"I'm only 25 but I've seen a lot in the career I've been on whereas a lot of the other lads are 19, 20, 21 and have been so successful with Limerick minor teams and U-21 teams that they probably haven't experienced it yet."

However, Hannon admits that the younger guys have brought a culture of winning with them that proved vital to lifting the Liam MacCarthy cup in August.

"They brought a massive confidence to us and definitely aided us this year. It's been an interesting career for me, I suppose, but the goal was always to win an All-Ireland so just delighted to have achieved that."

There is no addiction like winning, and Declan Hannon believes Limerick will want to make hay while the sun is shining on this special group of players.

 "We want to win as much as we possibly can in this length of time, we definitely don't want it to be another 45 years before Limerick win anything."

Looking ahead to next year though, Limerick are eyeing up more than just back-to-back All-Ireland's. There is a long awaited return to the top tier of the Nationa League to look forward too, as well as a few ghosts in Munster that need exorcised.

"Next year we'll start with the league and try stay in Division 1A, we've been in 1B for long enough. "Then the championship, Munster will be the target next year, then all going well we can try get to another All-Ireland."

All-Ireland winning captain, Declan Hannon was at the National Games Development Centre at Abbotstown to attend the GAA Super Games Centres National Blitz Day 2018 in partnership with Sky Sports.

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