All-Ireland SHC Final: Limerick triumph again

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

Limerick 1-29 Galway 1-18

By Cian O'Connell at Croke Park

In an era of unprecedented Limerick success, another pleasant chapter was added to the green and white story.

A gifted generation of players, primed so often for the big occasion by the shrewd John Kiely and his management team, delivered on the Croke Park stage.

Powerful and purposeful, Limerick dealt with Galway's energy. Everywhere on the field, Limerick players were excelling.

Centre back William O'Donoghue anchored the defence with trademark authority flanked by the splendid Diarmaid Byrnes and Kyle Hayes, who landed gorgeous points from range.

At centrefield Adam English and captain Cian Lynch dovetailed nicely, creating and taking scores.

Further up the pitch, Gearóid Hegarty was industrious and influential. Cathal O'Neill, relevant throughout, finished the contest with 1-4. Inside, Aaron Gillane and Peter Casey contributed four points each.

Galway battled, but just couldn't cope with Limerick. Initially, there had been some encouraging signs for the underdogs.

Jason Rabbitte was carrying a threat, winning frees as Galway edged 0-3 to 0-2 ahead by the 11th minute. Nonetheless, Galway goalkeeper Darach Fahy had made two fine saves to thwart Gearóid Hegarty in the early exchanges.

Following Aaron Niland's 11th minute free, Limerick steered over four without reply. Even though the game was still in the first quarter, it was a crucial burst.

Hegarty's fetch and pass released English to level. Byrnes nailed two frees and Aidan O'Connor subsequently landed a point from play to edge Limerick 0-6 to 0-3 in front.

With Niland sharp Galway did register three of the next four scores, but Limerick were unperturbed. Gillane, English, clipped points before a defiant effort from Rabbitte for Galway.

Galway had the deficit down to two, but three points in a row as the interval approached from the inspirational Lynch, O'Connor (free), and Gillane ensured Limerick departed with a 0-13 to 0-8 advantage.

After the restart it remained about Limerick's combination of graft and craft. Limerick were eight clear, 0-18 to 0-10, when they pounced for a 43rd minute goal.

Gillane's neat pass fashioned the opportunity for the dynamic O'Neill to make the Galway net dance. Peter Casey rifled over a point seconds later, and Galway trailed 1-19 to 0-10.

There was a mini Galwegian revival as Micheál Donoghue's outfit stitched a four point sequence together. Limerick weren't worried.

O'Neill ended an eight minute search for a Limerick score. Casey added a point prior to Ronan Glennon's 57th minute red card for a foul on the Na Piarsaigh corner forward.

Aidan O'Connor's resultant free had Limerick 1-22 to 0-14 in the ascendancy. Darragh Neary and substitutes Conor Cooney and Colm Molloy did supply points for Galway, but Limerick were inflicting damage too.

Byrnes, O'Neill, Lynch, and substitute David Reidy whipped over delightful points as Limerick closed out the deal with the minimum of fuss. Galway did pinch a last gasp consolation goal courtesy of a Conor Cooney penalty.

Limerick supporters, though, were celebrating a 13th All-Ireland SHC title. That six have now been collected since 2018 illustrates the greatness and glory of the Kiely years.

Scorers for Limerick: Cathal O'Neill 1-4, Aidan O'Connor 0-5 (3fs), Aaron Gillane, Peter Casey, and Diarmaid Byrnes (2fs, 1 65) 0-4 each, Kyle Hayes, Adam English, and Cian Lynch 0-2 each, Barry Nash and David Reidy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Aaron Niland 0-10 (8fs, 165), Conor Cooney 1-2 (1-0 pen, 1f), Thomas Monaghan 0-2, Cathal Mannion, Darragh Neary, Jason Rabbitte, and Colm Molloy 0-1 each.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Mike Casey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, William O'Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Adam English, Cian Lynch; Gearóid Hegarty, Aidan O'Connor, Cathal O'Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O'Brien, Peter Casey.

Subs: Tom Morrissey for O'Brien (48), Dan Morrissey for M Casey (53), David Reidy for P Casey (58-60), Darragh O'Donovan for English (63), David Reidy for O'Connor (68), Colin Coughlan for Finn (70).

Galway: Darach Fahy; Darren Morrissey, Daithí Burke, Cillian Trayers; Joshua Ryan, Padraic Mannion, Ronan Glennon; Tiernan Killeen, Gavin Lee; Tom Monaghan, Cathal Mannion, Darragh Neary; Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbite, Aaron Niland.

Subs: Conor Cooney for Lee (49), Cian Daniels for Monaghan (55), John Fleming for Killeen (59), Colm Molloy for Niland (59), Seán Linnane for C Mannion (70).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork).