IT'S seldom given to captains to play a more appropriate role than Ciaran Carey got the opportunity of discharging last June in the Munster hurling semifinal against then All-Ireland champions, Clare. With the match drifting beyond them and even the players resigned to defeat, Limerick launched a comeback that burned off a two-point deficit in as many minutes - which flattered them.

In injury time, with scores level, Carey, having moved earlier from centre back to midfield, soared for the puck-out. About the last player Clare wanted to see under the dropping ball, he set off on a weaving run and lost Fergal Hegarty, who slipped when moving towards him.

The closer he got, the more everyone knew Clare's number was up. Their stricken defence wouldn't foul for fear of Gary Kirby's free-taking and seemed unwilling to move towards him because a quick hand-pass would open it up for the loose man.

Inevitably he scored and Limerick won the most unlikely win of their breathtaking season. A captain's contribution, made all the more legendary by the uncomfortable but heroically enhancing detail that he was wearing the wrong boots and his feet had been cut to ribbons during the match's heated exchanges.

Two years ado Carey was an All Star midfielder, in tandem with his teammate Mike Houlihan. This season and last he has played centre back and his distinctive solo-running - stick high, head bobbing - has had to come from deeper, to the detriment of the team's attacking potential.

Manager Tom Ryan is aware of this view. "I get a lot of people saying that Ciaran would be better used in the forwards. In fact he's not comfortable there and likes midfield best.

"But we were building a defence to concede as little as we could and we've done a lot of work with defenders. We moved him back and said at the time that it wouldn't suit his career as he's not a defender. Ideally midfield would suit him. All his skills would be seen in a better light. But there was no centre back with Ger Hegarty injured so like Mark Foley (Limerick's hugely-impressive rookie wing back who was switched from attack), Ciaran was asked to come back.

"Ciaran's job is to tidy up and prevent scores, put a bush in the gap. He has tremendous pace for that role. Against Tipperary - the drawn game - Tommy Dunne got the ball on the wing and Ciaran left his position and took off at him. It looked impossible, but he got there and though Tommy Dunne got his shot in, it went wide. In one incident you could see what he can do."

The challenge was vital because Limerick had pulled off another study in escapology by reeling in a 10-point half-time deficit. The match was poised level after a late Tipperary surge had also been quietened. Tommy Duane had the winning of the match but was dissuaded.

"As well as pace," says Ryan, "he has courage. He can tidy it up and come up through the defence and can perform skills at pace. In two games, we have moved him to midfield. The attack hasn't always performed to our satisfaction and Ciaran gives impetus to the team going forward.

"He can rise in the air like a lark. And when he's up there, he's not admiring the scenery. Against Clare, everyone was talking about the point. It was great but the catch was up in the clouds, followed by the jink and scoring off his wrong side."

On the face of it he's not an obvious centre back. Hugely skilled on the ball, he is plainly happiest going forward and his light build would disadvantage him in assignments that require constant collision. But his speed, mobility and general positional sense never really obliges him to play such a game.

The loss of his forward-running potential up front has been remedied in a number of matches this season by switching him and Houlihan. This gives the attack more poke whereas Houlihan is solid enough to hold the fort for the final quarter of matches.

There is less debate in the county over Carey's other role in the team, that of captain. Tributes have been paid to his role in ending undercurrents of dissent within the panel and uniting everyone on a common course. His play has been a great inspiration - contribution rising in moments of need - as most vividly demonstrated by the winning point against Clare.

"Captaincy has brought out the best in him," says Ryan. "He gives great leadership off the field, as well. Of course, he's central to all things, policy, style of play, tactics."

There is the odd criticism that he needs to ration his energies more and not run with every ball; that he needs to be tighter in defence. Tom Ryan isn't impressed.

"He's actually changed his style. If you look at his record this year and see what opponents have scored off him, it's worth looking at (five points in five matches). The Tipp centre forward (Liam McGrath) put him under a lot of pressure.

"But then if you're not getting any ball at midfield, you're pulverised at centre back."