We have beaten all the big teams - Ryan

ALL-IRELAND MHC FINAL:

And now the final fence is painted black and amber.

“It certainly wasn’t the easy route we took,” quips Treaty manager Brian Ryan.

Win or lose on Sunday, Ryan is confident the 2014 campaign will stand to his troops down the line, their character and resolve questioned at every turn en route to the decider. On each occasion, they stood up to be counted.

“It is a great way to get to an All-Ireland final because we have beaten all the big teams. We haven’t come the easy route or the backdoor route, we have come right up the middle,” said Ryan.

“I think the experience they have gained this year, and last year for that matter, will stand them in good stead beyond 2014. Most of the panel have played in four Munster finals and twice in Croke Park. Some of them will be leaving the minor ranks with 13 or 14 championship games under their belt. Their is huge learning from that. From our perspective of trying to win the All-Ireland, it has been a tough campaign, a long campaign.

“The semi-final was positive from the point of view, that we reached the heights we can. We hadn’t reached those heights on our way to the semi-final. To reach those heights in Croke Park when it mattered most was hugely encouraging. Any day your team can go to Croke Park and score 0-27 is hugely encouraging, 0-17 of that was from open play and that was even more encouraging. We’d hope the semi-final performance serves as a massive confidence booster for a team not frequent visitors to Croke Park.”

Limerick are bidding to annex the Irish Press Cup for only the fourth time this weekend and Ryan expressed confidence the underage academy established in 2011 will ensure the county’s sustained presence at the top end of the minor ladder in the years ahead.

“This team is the first team to come out of the new system. The academy has ensured more joined-up thinking. Jerry Wallis has added a new dimension, as far as coaching is concerned. He has brought it to a new level and everyone has bought into his methods. It is good to win two Munster titles within that four years and to be now contesting an All-Ireland final. It also gives great confidence to the younger players coming up the ranks. The U16s and U17s are buzzing, because they see what is happening at minor.

“I also think our open squad policy has kept lads on their toes. It has created a healthy environment and has got the best out of the players.”

Commenting on the opposition, Ryan added: “I was in Nowlan Park back in April when Dublin beat them well. Kilkenny were very conscious of the backdoor system in Leinster. They have a much changed team since that game. Liam Blanchfield was playing midfield that day. He has since moved to full-forward. Their semi-final team had 14 positional switches when compared to the team that lined out against Dublin. We know what we are facing.”