Tom Morrissey has questioned the GAA’s decision to withhold the Liam MacCarthy Cup after Sunday’s All-Ireland final.
In a bid to avoid any kind of gatherings that may accelerate the spread of Covid-19, the GAA has said that the MacCarthy and Sam Maguire Cups will not be leaving Croke Park in the aftermath of this month’s finals, a position that president John Horan doubled down on when he appeared on RTE’s Late Late Show last Friday night.
He said: “It's our concern that the cups will be a focus of crowds gathering and extra social activity going on around the cups.
"We feel we have to be responsible about this. The clubs will get to see them and the schools will get to see them in time, but we just feel that the way the country is and the way the pandemic is resting at the moment that it would be better if we retain them.
“There'll be no homecoming for the winning teams either.”
However, Morrissey believes that, whoever emerges victorious on Sunday, they should be trusted to act responsibly with the trophy.
“I don’t think that is necessary,” he said. “Whether ourselves or Waterford win, I think it will be hugely disappointing if you couldn’t bring the trophy home with you.
“Obviously we’re training together three times a week as it is, we're going out together playing in a match.
“We’re going to be playing against 15 to 20 other players as well from Waterford and they're likewise.
“So whichever team is victorious on the day you’d imagine that they should be allowed to hold the trophy together if they’re allowed do all of that.”
Morrissey has welcomed the fact that the full panel and backroom team will be allowed to attend on Sunday after the Government eased restrictions, however.
“We’re trying to prepare for an All-Ireland final - it was just an added bonus to know that everyone can go and attend and we’ll be able share this moment together. All-Ireland final day is huge.
“The players have put in the effort for how many years to get to this stage of their life. Not to be allowed in would be an absolute catastrophe really.”
A second All-Ireland win in three seasons would represent Limerick’s best run of success since 1936, when they also backed up their win of two years earlier.
Although bridging the 45-year gap to their previous title in 2018 ensures that this crop of players will be fondly remembered whatever happens, Morrissey admits that they’ll need to win more than one title to be considered a truly great side.
“I think that's more a question for when I finish my career. You kind of get into looking at all those things about legacies and maybe whether people are going to consider this team as a good team or a great team.
“In my eyes, if we do want to be a great team, it's to push on and obviously win an All-Ireland or a few more if you want to be considered great.”
