Seamus Hickey adjusting to 'grandfather' role in Limerick team

Limerick star Seamus Hickey was one of the senior members of the squad as the Treaty won their first All-Ireland title in 45 years.

John Kiely's young outfit took the country by storm, and even though it was clear that they were a coming team, Hickey didn't expect the success to come so soon.

"I'll be honest, I thought we were a year off the ultimate success," said the Murroe-Boher man. "I thought there was a natural growth with a younger team but I felt it was going to come.

"I didn't think it was going to be 2018 but maybe that's why I'm over the hill and why all these boys have medals in their pockets!"

However, from the win over Galway in the League, Hickey knew that this young side had it in them to go all the way this year.

"It was a seminal moment. They were the benchmark as All-Ireland champions. How serious or otherwise they were taking the league wasn't our concern. It was in Salthill.

"My boys were born the week of so I missed the game but they were down nine points at half-time so being able to do that, you're just stacking fuel on top of an already simmering belief."

It's a young team, with the likes of Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch et al leading the way. Hickey admitted he is in awe of their youthful abandon.

"I marvel at how mature and balanced they can be, when we're down six points with six minutes to go, to do the right thing. Then we're in the dressing room and the same fellas are acting like I'm their grandfather. Sometimes I feel that disconnected from it. But they're just so much fun.

"That's probably the thing I've seen most since I've gone along, is that the generation that has come in from those U21 and minor teams they've been bonded by fire and success. They just enjoy each others' company so much it's very easy to just get carried away with it and take it with the flow, it's lovely."