Declan Hannon has said it was the “right time for the group” for him to pass on the Limerick captaincy.

It emerged in January that the Limerick management had decided to replace Hannon as skipper with Cian Lynch after the Adara man had held the role since 2017 - with that first season the only one in which he didn’t lift major silverware.

From 2018-24, Hannon became the most successful captain in hurling history by a reasonable distance, outstripping Cork legend Christy Ring by lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup a record five times as well as six Munster titles and three Allianz Leagues.

Lynch deputised for Hannon in the run-in to the 2023 All-Ireland win as a knee injury ruled the centre-back out though they both lifted the cup together.

Hannon said: “Obviously I had a great time and was lucky to be involved as the captain when we won a couple of bits and pieces, but there's obviously no better man than Ciano to take it on. I think it was probably the right time for the group as well to freshen things up like that.

“There's not a whole pile of difference. Training hasn't gotten any easier anyway since the changeover or anything like that. Maybe you're at a few less meetings or you're not on as many phone calls probably, so you might have a small bit more time.