Inside Limerick hurler Mike Casey's life off the pitch including his day job and famous brother

Mike Casey has been a key player for Limerick for the past seven years and has won four All-Ireland titles with the county. Here's everything you need to know about him

By: irishmirror.ie

Jul 08 2024
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Inside Limerick hurler Mike Ca

Mike Casey, a key figure in the Limerick defence for seven years, has had his fair share of challenges. The Na Piarsaigh hurler has battled through two injuries during the Shannonsider's four-in-a-row success.

Off the pitch, Mike is a secondary school teacher and is happily in a relationship with his girlfriend.

Here, we take a look at deeper look at Mike and what makes him tick.

Limerick career

Mike's intercounty career kicked off with the Limerick minor and U21 teams. He clinched a Munster title at minor level in 2013 and followed it up with both the Munster Championship and All Ireland Championship with the U21s the next year.

He was drafted into the senior panel in 2016 and made his senior debut as left corner-back a year later, reports RSVP Live.

Since joining John Kiely's senior squad, he has bagged an impressive four All-Ireland and four Munster medals. However, injury sidelined him from Limerick's triumph in 2021.

Mike Casey (Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

Growing up and career

Mike, born in October 1995, hails from Caherdavin, Limerick, and plays his club hurling with Na Piarsaigh. At 28 years old, he stands at 5"10.

Girlfriend Jessica Warde

For the past six years, Mike has been dating Jessica Warde. He credits her for standing by him during the tough times in his long-standing sports career.

“There were definitely dark moments. My girlfriend, Jessica, I’ve been with her five or six years and she was excellent through it all. Any time I had a setback and needed someone to talk to she was there for me," he told the Irish Mirror.

“And with the group, a lot of the lads have been through a lot of things, knee surgeries and things like that. And I never left the group. I was asked to come in and help with stats and that so I was part of everything that was going on, there was some small bit to contribute to the team.”

Injuries

Mike's time with the Limerick senior hurlers has been marred by injury. He suffered a cartilage injury to his knee that necessitated surgery. He then experienced another cartilage injury that required another surgical procedure. This resulted in him missing the 2021 season and Limerick's provincial and All-Ireland victories that year. The Na Piarsaigh man made a comeback in 2022, where Limerick, once again, clinched the Munster and All-Ireland cups.

Mike Casey at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick (Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

"There were definitely some dark times there, 100 per cent," he confessed to The Sun. “The same time the cartilage went we were on our team holiday in Barbados. We were in this incredible resort and my knee, just whatever happened it. . . I’m looking at myself in this unbelievable resort but I’m so down thinking when I get home it’s all going to be over and done with.

“I was thinking, ‘This is the last time I’m ever going to be with this group.’"

Famous brother

Mike's brother Peter is also a key player for the Limerick team. They've both earned All-Ireland honours, but the 2022 victory over Kilkenny marked the first time they shared the pitch at the final whistle. He expressed his feelings about the team's camaraderie: "We just love each other's company.

Limerick's Peter Casey, Mike Casey Gearoid Hegarty and Oisin Reilly celebrate winning after the game. — Limerick's Peter Casey, Mike Casey, Gearoid Hegarty and Oisin Reilly (Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

"A large portion of this team has been around for a while and we have seen different parts of the world together. We have great craic. We are all best friends and we have been for a long time. I know it’s a cliché and everyone says we are tight-knit or whatever but we genuinely are.

"But just sitting outside in the sun in each other's company with a few tunes playing is heaven for us."

Day job

When he's not on the GAA pitch, Mike is shaping young minds as a teacher. He imparts knowledge on woodwork and graphics at Limerick Educate Together Secondary School.

As for accolades, Mike has plenty to be proud of.