LIMERICK…1-29
GALWAY…1-18
When you work in and around the coalface of high level sport for as long as has been privileged to be the case in this seat, you learn to spot things that the ordinary spectator might not. Small things. Or at least that’s what they’re purported to be. Though nothing could be further from the truth. Multiple ‘small’ things combine to construct greatness.
Exhibit A – Limerick yesterday, snaffling a sixth All Ireland SHC title in a decade. Looking like they did so with consummate ease too. Though it was hardly that. After they had duly demolished a hitherto extraordinarily improved-looking Galway side, somebody made the point that in each of the four competitions in which John Kiely’s side participated in 2026, they were beaten in the first round thereof before going on to triumph outright. Munster Co-OP SHL, NHL Div. 1A, Munster SHC, All Ireland SHC. The clean sweep.
Achieved by? Knowhow. Hard work. Having the best of people around them. Having naturally gifted hurlers capable of reaching levels greater than within the capabilities of their contemporaries. The most recent example being the most pointed one.
For, at 0-08 to 0-13 down at the midway point, Galway would most likely have been happy enough still. Even though they had already had whatever advantage was to be gained from a not insignificant breeze. Flip that coin, mind you, and there surely had to be a sense of foreboding in the knowledge that the men from the Treaty City – already over 43% of the way to their daily target of 30 points – have traditionally been a second half team. Yet another admirable comparison with the great Meath football teams of the 1980s and ’90s.
The major difference being that Sean Boylan’s side were rode out of two certainly and possibly three further All Ireland titles by blatantly biased refereeing cheating them. Anyway, as hinted at, Limerick gloriously held up the positive part of the Royal County likeness, outgunning the Tribesmen by 1-16 to 1-10 once card-happy Colm Lyons got the action back underway.
Meaning that Micheal Donoghue’s charges fell well short of the 30 points it was felt that they would need to even lie up with a side who are rapidly becoming arguably the greatest small ball code has ever been graced by. After all, they are now only two short of the remarkable eight Sam Maguire triumphs garnered by Kerry under Mick O’Dwyer.
Another sign that a team have reached that special level of productivity that only the very best do – when one – or possibly more – of the main cogs in their machine has a day of even minor malfunction, there are others who will, consciously or otherwise, step up to the plate and carry the slack.
Here, that manifested as, though Gearoid Hegarty didn’t score, the St Patrick’s clubman was imperious in every other facet of the game. Surely leaving him a shoo-in for the Hurler Of The Year gong. Moreover, while The Hedge mightn’t have provided his side with the usual buffer by way of scores supplied, others, namely Barry Nash and Diarmaid Byrnes and Kyle Hayes and Cian Lynch and Adam English and Aidan O’Connor more than made up for any shortfall in that regard. Though they were all surpassed by Cathal O’Neill who capped an outstanding season for himself with his best display yet in a Limerick jersey.
Having opened the hurling calendar by starring in UL’s annexation of the Fitzgibbon Cup, the utility forward in the yellow helmet hit 1-4 from play. Almost under the radar given the efficient, business-like manner in which Kiely’s crew went about their task.
Small things. The first of which this writer noticed was the fact that those from way down south very obviously wore the set of jerseys they have been using throughout the season. As distinct from the engraved All Ireland Final ones employed by their opponents.
A simple thing, but one which I think spoke volumes of where the heads of both teams were at. It recalled Eamon Barry’s first year with Dunshaughlin more than a quarter century ago.
They duly qualified for their first SFC Final appearance at the back end of 1999. Against neighbours Skryne. On Final day itself, though, Barry’s boys arrived via luxury coach, decked out in suits. Skryne won handily and the silver fox never made the same mistake again.
Likewise, any realistic appraisal of Limerick’s victory must begin with the paltry nature of the challenge presented by Galway. Now, at this point it is important to state to nobody goes out for things to go wrong. And nobody will be hurting more than the Galway camp. However, it has to be said that, scarcely if ever have a team gone into an All Ireland Final with less of a discernable game plan.
Other than rake high balls in on top of Jason Rabbitte. Operators as astute as Kiely or Paul Kinnerk were only going to need a very short time to decode and deal with the challenge that presented.
In this instance, that meant Kyle Hayes sitting deeper than the ‘normal’ half back slot. While Mike Casey – partly shackled by an early yellow card – appeared to nearly do the opposite and push out to behind where Hayes was, meaning there was little or no chance of ball getting into the big Athenry youngster.
With that being the case, mind you, it was utterly baffling that the Galway think tank didn’t at least try to get Conor Whelan into the game. The southpaw corner forward being practically anonymous throughout.
From a neutral perspective looking in, I’d be just curious were players such as Rory Burke, Evan Niland, Anthony Monaghan and TJ Brennan were injured to the point of not being able to contribute. Because those from where the fields lie low definitely needed something different to throw at the Limerck machine.
Lest it be thought that this writer had the proverbial knife in the Connacht Leinster kingpins, that isn’t the case at all. In fact, it would be contended that Micheal Donoghue deserves the utmost commendation for taking his charges from where he found them to All Ireland Final day.
Indeed, there is an inclination to suggest this Galway side still have their best days ahead of them, but, pinning your hopes on that eventuality can be self-taxing too.
Then, despite the fact that those who have just regained the throne having a bit of age and mileage on board, it would be foolhardy to think they’re anywhere near finished yet.
Add to that there are several sides who haven’t hit the heights they are – or at least should be – capable of hitting in quite some time and there’s potential for hurling to once again ignite to the levels it can get to in jig time.
I have always been miffed by the idea of GAA sports competing against one another, but there’s no doubt football has been transformed for the better by the Football Review Committee’s stipulations, does the small ball code similar revamping now?
Undoubtedly a thought for another day, but, Kiely’s kings are by some way ahead of the pack once again.
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