Na Piarsaigh will rule Munster, predicts Tom Ryan
More recently, Treaty county champions Kilmallock reached the All-Ireland decider last march but, like Ballybrown, were also beaten by Ballyhale Shamrocks.
Ryan, who guided Limerick to All-Ireland finals in 1994 and 1996, fully believes Na Piarsaigh are about to end that long losing streak.
He claimed Na Piarsaigh have the talent, the experience and, perhaps most importantly, a window of opportunity in the absence of Ballyhale Shamrocks and Portumna to make history.
“In my mind, this is their year,” said Ryan.
“I’ve been saying it to people for a long time. I don’t back teams or bet on teams but whenever anybody asked me, I said Na Piarsaigh would win not just the Munster title but the All-Ireland.
“I don’t think the test is there for them. Now that can be read as not being a great thing for hurling generally but I look at it as a great opportunity for Na Piarsaigh, and for Limerick.
“Because it’s an open wound in Limerick hurling really, that a Limerick side has never won the All-Ireland.
“They’ve all been chasing for it over the years, the Kilmallocks and the Patrickswells, we came awful close to it ourselves with Ballybrown and, of course, Na Piarsaigh have been pushing hard this last few years too, and still are.
“So it’s been the great ambition of Limerick club hurling to win an All-Ireland. I believe the monkey will be off our backs in 2015.”
Na Piarsaigh must get out of Munster first - to face the Leinster champions in the All-Ireland semi-finals on February 6 - and Ryan’s bullish prediction will surely be used as motivation by the Ballygunner management ahead of Sunday’s provincial final.
Former Westmeath manager Ryan remains convinced though Na Piarsaigh will claim a third Munster title in five seasons at the Waterford representatives’ expense.
“I’m really excited about this Na Piarsaigh team and I have been for a long while now,” said Ryan.
“I’m looking at it in a very sterile way, I’m not saying it as a supporter but as a fella who is just very impressed by them.
“Na Piarsaigh are flying the banner high for Limerick and I’m delighted for them. They’ll take Ballygunner, I’m confident.”
Ryan paid a rich tribute to Na Piarsaigh’s two talisman forwards, Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling.
“The day Kevin Downes opens up his shoulders and really goes for it, God help whoever is marking him,” said Ryan.
“He’s in the mould of Jonah Lomu in a lot of ways, God rest him. I would put Shane Dowling in the mould of Pat Heffernan.
“As a striker of the ball, Dowling is probably the most powerful I’ve seen since Mick Mackey. He has a great attitude and is physically very strong.
“These guys are match winners and that’s what I’ve been telling people, that this is their year.
“The Breens as well are very influential and Peter Casey, I have a lot of time for him. It’s basically a very strong inter-county back bone to the team.”
Ryan said he will be in Thurles on Sunday having tracked Na Piarsaigh throughout the Limerick and Munster championship.
“There’s a great pep in Limerick hurling at the moment, brought on not by the county team or by anything the county board has done, but brought on by the clubs themselves and particularly Na Piarsaigh,” said Ryan.
“They’re an inspirational team in a lot of ways.”
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