Define greatness. Define era defining. Define legacy. This Limerick hurling team since 2018 have been the benchmark for others to follow. This Limerick side and management must now be assessed with the elite teams that have gone before.
Six All Ireland SHC titles since 2018 for a county who before this period went to Croke Park in trepidation and weighed by past final failures. This management, backroom staff and players are different level. They are elite.
The pregame notes on this final was whether Limerick would solve the Galway middle third puzzle. The answer was emphatic and only for Darach Fahy, this final contest would have been over at half-time with two sensational saves from Gearoid Hegarty in the opening quarter.
Galway were their own worse enemy. Jason Rabbitte was excellent in the opening exchanges, Mike Casey under pressure from minute one with an early yellow card. Galway management should have gone for the throat and put Whelan inside with Rabbitte but no move from the line. Opportunity lost.
Limerick were rarely troubled in this final. If hurling scribes need to label middle third dominance, file this Limerick performance in this category. The turnover to scoring ratio was elite. 1-17 from turnovers. Galway were rattled early and never recovered.
Galway playing with the breeze were nervous and anxious. The middle third units struggling to win their individual battles and forced to make defensive run after defensive run to quell the Limerick green wave.
The second quarter was all Limerick. Galway managing to be two points down entering the last moments but Limerick started to flex their muscles. English, O’Neill. Lynch, Byrnes, Gillane coming to the party. Five point lead at the break.
Cathal O’Neill with 1-4 from play. Limerick relentlessly closed out this final in the third quarter early. A five point gap suddenly opening out to a twelve point lead. Cathal O’Neill with a superb goal, the movement in the middle third exceptional.
This final was over after forty-two minutes. Galway gallantly tried to resurrect their challenge but Limerick were enjoying defensive dominance given Galway’s defensive setup. Rabbitte starved of possession and Dan Morrissey presence closed up shop.
The final quarter a procession. Ronan Glennon given a red card for a high challenge on Peter Casey. Colm Lyons officiating was card happy early doors but the early yellow cards did not contribute to more red cards. Glennon devastated on the red card.
All Limerick marquee players saved their best championship performances for today. The mindset to execute the game plan with clarity stood out. The 1-24 from play is a testament to the scoring improvements since the Clare win.
This is an incredible side. Limerick’s middle third were exceptional. O’Donoghue dominant at half-back. Byrnes nailed long range scores. Hayes broke Galway hearts with numerous possessions and running lines from deep.
Galway have had a good year. This final will hurt but there is a group that can grow and develop. Galway management missed a trick on the the full forward line early dominance. The middle third unit was muddled and Limerick work rate was a step too far.
The Tribesmen continued to play through the lines. Joshua Ryan leading by example and marauding up the pitch late on. Several Galway star players struggled and at this level, the final loss gap is merited. Conor Cooney’s late pen could not disguise the Galway disappointment.
An incredible side. Limerick are the benchmark. 2026 clean sweep with Munster Hurling League, Allianz Hurling League, Munster and All Ireland SHC champions. The mindset was set early and Limerick relentless nature did the rest. An incredible group!
Galway: Darrach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Ronan Glennon; Tiernan Killeen, Gavin Lee; Tom Monaghan (0-02), Cathal Mannion (0-01), Darragh Neary (0-01); Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte (0-01), Aaron Niland (0-10, 8f, 1 ’65).
Subs: Conor Cooney (1-02, 1-00pen, 1f)) for Lee (47), Cian Daniels for Monaghan (54), John Fleming for Killeen (59), Colm Molloy (0-01) for Niland (59), Seán Linnane for Cathal Mannion (70)
Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Barry Nash (0-01); Diarmaid Byrnes (0-03, 2f), Will O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes (0-02); Adam English (0-02), Cian Lynch (0-02); Gearoid Hegarty, Aidan O’Connor (0-05, 3f), Cathal O’Neill (1-04); Aaron Gillane (0-04), Shane O’Brien, Peter Casey (0-04).
Subs: Tom Morrissey for O’Brien (48), Dan Morrissey for Mike Casey (52), David Reidy (0-01) for Peter Casey (57, temp), Darragh O’Donovan for English (65), Reidy for O’Connor (6fe7), Colin Coughlan for Finn (69)
Referee: Colm Lyons.