Big Dan looks to take direct route

HE WAS in posh surroundings recently, was Waterford’s Dan Shanahan, in the lap of luxury as the Munster senior hurling championship was given an impressive and formal lift-off.

Should have been familiar surroundings also, Lismore Castle, around the corner from where Dan was reared, but no – this was just his second time inside the walls, and he was as struck as the rest of us.

“Ah stop, I’m lost here, just looking at it! We got a tour of the place a long time ago, when I was a young fella, but just to come in here today is fantastic. This is great for Lismore, it will put us on the map now, this launch.”