William O'Donoghue says outside noise did not impact Limerick last season

Limerick hurler William O'Donoghue says talk about the five-in-a-row did not impact the side last year as their run of All-Ireland titles ended.

As Limerick chased history, they were defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final by Cork, the first time the Treaty county had not been in the All-Ireland final since 2019.

O'Donoghue has been crucial to Limerick's success over the years, with five Liam MacCarthy titles to his name.

Speaking ahead of the Munster championship, O'Donoghue says talk of the historical five-in-a-row was never discussed in the squad.

"No, it definitely wasn’t discussed in our group anyway. I think that is something for you guys to write and talk about, it is opinion pieces.

"That is all it is, really, a source of a topic of conversation. It is a perfectly fine and healthy conversation, but it is not something the players are going to be engaging in. I don’t think it really affects us at all.

"You’ve a lot of time for reflection. It’s a tough enough few weeks or months, but at the same time, that’s not what’s fuelling you to go training in December or January.

"If you’re just hanging onto the disappointment of last year, it wouldn’t motivate you very much. We should have our own reasons for hunger and desire, not just because we didn’t win a semi-final last year. I don’t think that hunger went anywhere.

"We’re very eager to put good performances together in April."

The National League campaign was mixed for Limerick as they finished in fifth with two wins, two losses, and a draw.

With O'Donoghue among some of the players out through injury, there was plenty of rotation in the squad, with Limerick's strength in depth there for all to see.

Now fully recovered for Tipperary next Sunday, O'Donoghue is looking