Declan Hannon on Leadership, legacy, and the making of Limerick’s Golden Era

Our guest for Season 5, Episode 8 of the GAA Minor Moments podcast with Electric Ireland is former Limerick captain Declan Hannon, one of the defining figures of the county's most successful era. In this episode, Declan Hannon shares unparalleled insights into a career defined by unprecedented success, from his formative Minor years to leading Limerick to multiple All-Ireland Senior Hurling titles. He reflects candidly on life after inter-county hurling, discussing the bittersweet adjustments to retirement and the enduring bonds with teammates. He recounts the giddy excitement of his Minor years, his early coaches, and how Ardscoil Rís's Harty Cup victories forged his competitive edge, building invaluable camaraderie with future inter-county rivals. Hannon also pulls back the curtain on Limerick's golden era, revealing how a culture of unwavering honesty and respect drove an extraordinary hunger for victory. He highlights the role of one of Ireland’s leading performance psychologists Caroline Currid, whose ability to simplify challenges and establish a deep trust with the players proved pivotal. Reflecting on his own quiet yet effective captaincy, he emphasises authenticity and support over bravado, and offers clear advice for today's Minor players: *“sometimes less is more,”* and he highlights the importance of learning to switch off to switch on, and how Minor years build success and instil values that stretch far beyond the pitch, shaping the lives of young players both professionally and personally. Every Tuesday, well-known Irish stars share memories from their early sporting careers and reflect on the defining moments from playing Minor and how that shaped them both on and off the pitch. For more information on the Electric Ireland Camogie Minor Championships, go to https://www.electricireland.ie/camogie-minor-championships. For more information on the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championships, go to https://www.electricireland.ie/gaa-minor-championships. Produced and hosted by Fergal O’Keeffe at Lume. #ThisIsMajor * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.