Tom Morrissey warns that Limerick are still evolving
"When you're on top, that's when you need to change your game."
Tuesday 30 April 2019 15:49, UK
Limerick's Tom Morrissey has warned rivals that the Treaty are still evolving as a team.
It's fair to say Limerick hurling is in a strong place right now. Current holders of the All-Ireland and Allianz League titles, they are preparing to complete the set as they launch their assault on the Munster Championship.
Recent history has suggested that it's one thing to reach hurling's summit, but another thing entirely to stay there. Tipperary (twice), Clare and Galway all failed to defend the Liam MacCarthy Cup this decade. John Kiely's charges are the latest to take on the challenge.
Morrissey feels that they are well placed to do just that, and suggested they are still improving.
"I think we are [evolving] and I think the league backed that up," said the Ahane club man.
"It showed we evolved in that we've added a lot of depth. That was a talking point last year that we've good depth, and I think we've added again to that.
"We made nice subtle evolvements and experiments to our game plan that maybe some people might not have realised.
"You know that phrase, 'when you're on top, that's when you need to change your game'? We're definitely doing that with the hope of pushing on and reclaiming the All-Ireland."
The Treaty asserted their dominance with an Allianz League triumph, and Morrissey was pleased that the team silenced any remaining doubters:
"A lot of people in the media said, 'how will Limerick respond?' and 'how will they cope with being All-Ireland champions?' I think we answered a lot of those questions having gone out and won the league like we did.
"To go out and win a national title so soon in Croke Park as well made it even more special and a slight bit more of a statement maybe of our intentions for the year ahead."
This young side have tasted huge success in the early stages of their respective careers, but there are few survivors from the 2013 Munster triumph as they look for fresh provincial glory.
"It is the only thing that eludes us," conceded Morrissey. "We seem to have done it the backwards way of winning the national titles first and then going after the provincial title.
"It's something that I'd hate to say I finished my career without a Munster medal. It's definitely something I'd like to pick up and finish the collection."
For now, full focus is on the opener against Cork on May 19.
"Looking at Munster last year, out of the five teams, the two teams that won their first games both qualified, both us and Cork," he continued. "Only one of the remaining teams, Clare, managed to do so. That in itself shows you how important it is to get off to a good start and get points on the board early. May 19 is the sole focus for us at the minute and there has to be a performance from us and a result to go with it."
Sky Sports' live GAA coverage gets underway on Saturday, May 11 as Dublin face Kilkenny in the Leinster Hurling Championship opener. You can also stay up to date with all the action by following us @SkySportsGAA and get all the latest news, previews and interviews www.skysports.com/gaa
