Preview: All-Ireland SHC Final - Limerick v Galway

Click here to listen to interviews with John Kiely, William O'Donoghue, Cian Lynch, Micheál Donoghue, Darren Morrissey, Pádraic Mannion, and Cathal Mannion ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland SHC Final.

Sunday July 19

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

Limerick v Galway, Croke Park, 3.30pm, RTE/BBC

Rewind 13 months to the 2025 All-Ireland SHC Quarter-Finals weekend.

Back then, Limerick and Galway suffered defeats that certainly could be classed in the demoralising category. So, when the teams reconvened for inter-county duty in the winter, the initial targets were short term.

Since the glory of 2018, Limerick have been down this road several times. John Kiely and his management team possess a splendid ability to reset.

The Cork and Dublin Championship defeats last year hurt them to the core. Gleaning Allianz League and Munster titles, and a subsequent nerve shredding All-Ireland Semi-Final win over neighbours Clare illustrated Limerick's resilience.

Any time demanding questions were posed in the closing stages of matches, Limerick survived. The perfect example being Adam English's gorgeous delivery for Aidan O'Connor.

A game that was delicately poised. English, cool and composed. O'Connor clinical. Within seconds the Hill 16 net was dancing. Limerick supporters were too.

The previous afternoon at GAA headquarters showcased the remarkable rise of Micheál Donoghue's Galway. With a nice cocktail of emerging and experienced players, Galway dealt with Cork's first half burst.

Another outfit might have folded. Galway didn't. A flurry of points before the interval were key. After the restart Galway seized the initiative. Ronan Glennon was both defiant and dynamic.

Further up the pitch, Tom Monaghan was rifling over points from varying angles. Inside Jason Rabbitte brought graft and craft.

Two Croke Park wins already in 2026 hints at Galway's considerable potential. Donoghue and his backroom team, though, will be fully aware that the impending encounter against Limerick is the ultimate test.

Nickie Quaid's relevance to the Limerick cause will never be understated. In front of him a gritty defensive unit is marshalled by William O'Donoghue. The Na Piarsaigh clubman is flanked by Diarmaid Byrnes and Kyle Hayes. Undoubtedly, Galway will need to negate their influence on proceedings.

In the full back line Mike Casey has earned a recall alongside Seán Finn and Barry Nash, who are key protagonists for Limerick.

Cian Lynch's cameo in the penultimate round was pivotal. Following injury, the Limerick captain certainly led by example down the home straight.

O'Connor continues to provide scores and class in an attack where Gearóid Hegarty remains an influential figure. The All-Ireland Final stage is one where Hegarty has flourished previously.

Cathal O'Neill, Shane O'Brien, Aaron Gillane, and Peter Casey are proven and polished performers too. So, Limerick bring an abundance of class to the Jones Road venue.

Galway, though, have survivors from the 2018 decider themselves. In 2017, Galway perched the maroon and white flag on the summit with Daithí Burke, the Mannions, Conor Whelan, and Conor Cooney influential figures.

The development of Cillian Trayers, Darragh Neary, Aaron Niland, and Rabbitte augurs well for Galway. Darach Fahy, captain Darren Morrissey, Joshua Ryan, Tiernan Killeen, and Gavin Lee have all made significant contributions for Galway, too.

This is an eagerly anticipated encounter that could go the distance.

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: Colin Ryan, Colin Coughlan, Fintan Fitzgerald, Matthew Fitzgerald, Hugh Flanagan, Ethan Hurley, Darragh Langan, Dan Morrissey, Tom Morrissey, Darragh O'Donovan, David Reidy.

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

Subs: Eanna Murphy, Shane Morgan, Fintan Burke, Cian Daniels, Cianan Fahy, Conor Cooney, John Fleming, Seán Linnane, Cillian Whelan, Colm Molloy, Brian Concannon.

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork).