Glum O’Mahony bemoans O’Shaughnessy’s absence

LIMERICK captain Gavin O’Mahony has described as ‘heartbreaking’ the fact that clubmate Andrew O’Shaughnessy is not involved with the county setup as they prepare for next Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final against Waterford in Thurles.

O’Shaughnessy announced his retirement from the intercounty game earlier this year and O’Mahony, who won a county senior title with O’Shaughnessy for Kilmallock last year, has paid tribute to the former attacker.

“It’s heartbreaking for him and it’s heartbreaking for all of us not to have him in the dressing-room. I can’t speak highly enough of him. When we were underage growing up he was the man in Kilmallock. That probably went right across Limerick as well.

“He was the guy that we modelled ourselves on. He set the bar for us in hurling and everything he did, we tried to emulate at underage level. For him to miss out now is very disappointing. He should be in the twilight of his career and should have a few medals at this stage with fellas looking up to him. It’s just very unfortunate and makes us all appreciate what we have still being involved with Limerick.”