O’Shaughnessy ecstatic after ‘absolutely incredible’ win

ANDREW O’SHAUGHNESSY has been through a lot of emotional games in his young career.

Two All-Ireland U21 titles, a hatful of Harty Cup and All-Irelands Colleges are among his accolades.

He could hardly have expected it to get any better, but in his own words, yesterday’s dramatic victory over Tipperary -without a title at stake — in the second replay of the Munster SHC semi-final, tops theme all.

“I honestly didn’t think it could get any better but this has been absolutely incredible,” said the Kilmallock youngster.

“We looked to have won it, lost it and then came with a tremendous late burst to take it. It was nerve wrecking out there. I felt over the 85 odd minutes we were slightly the better team, but credit to Tipperary — they gave it their all and you would have to have a tinge of sympathy for them now facing into three All-Ireland qualifiers over the next three Saturdays after being involved in three games in a row. That will be six weeks on the trot.

“Thankfully it is us heading to a Munster Final.”

O’Shaughnessy added: “We gave a way a very soft goal which kept Tipperary in the game all through but we showed tremendous character in hanging in there when they looked to be getting the upper hand.

“I thought our fitness levels were superb and fair play to our trainer Dave Moriarty. He said we would be ready for this game, but he couldn’t have expected it to go to three matches before it was decided.”

But O’Shaughnessy sounded a word of caution.

“While there is a huge air of euphoria around the ground right now having laid the Tipperary bogey, we have nothing won yet. This was just a championship match.

“The final against Waterford is going to be another massive match for us, but the character and never say die attitude we displayed out there will surely stand to us.”

Centre back Brian Geary, sporting a nasty cut over his eye, hailed the strong mental spirit which is evident throughout the squad.

“It took us three games to win one, but it has been more than worth it. How much it will take out of us only time will tell, but right now I’m absolutely elated at winning. There is no substitute for it.

“The character and commitment of this team was seen late in the second period of extra time when Seamus Hickey chased Darragh Egan all the way out to the touchline for a ball that he was never going to win, or at least shouldn’t have won.

“This is a massive victory for Limerick hurling, but there is another hurdle to jump before we are Munster champions, and that is not going to be easy.

“For now we bask in the glory of this magnificent victory, get back to training early next week and be ready for what should be another cracking contest in a fortnight’s time.”

Along with O’Shaughnessy, Seamus Hickey was another player who cut his hurling teeth with St. Flannan’s. And how he enjoyed this day.

“The victory is all the sweeter as it was achieved at home against Tipperary and after a game in which we didn’t play at all in the opening half. I have to say I felt we had it won in normal time when we went three points clear, but as I’ve so often been told no game is over until the final whistle, and you have to give Tipp all the credit in the world for the way they pegged us back.”