TJ Ryan: A privilege to watch a young boy develop into the man, player and leader Declan Hannon became

I first heard of Declan when he was a standout player with Ardscoil Rís Dean Ryan and Harty Cup teams in the late 2000s

TURNING POINT: Declan Hannon, Limerick, could hvae been broken by free-taking disaster against Clare in 2013. Picture: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Anytime I think back to one of the most iconic moments in World Sport, Diego Maradona’s incredible goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico, I can always hear Jimmy Magee’s epic TV commentary describing it l through just two words, his decibel levels increasing as the Argentine legend meanders his way past the English midfield, defence and goalkeeper Peter Shilton before side-footing the ball to the net. ‘Different class,' began Magee as Maradonna began the move. 'Different class. DIFFERENT CLASS.’ 

I often think of those words when assessing some of the greatest hurlers I have been lucky enough to see in my lifetime. There are many ways and forms to rank, grade and class a player, but when I think of Declan Hannon, I always think of Magee's two famous words. Different class.