Under the circumstances, I’m doing okay. I’m due in to the hospital next Thursday for the hip operation that my body needs right now.
Hopefully, in the not too distant future, I’ll be back in action for the autumn season of farming.
If Limerick win at Croke Park, I’m not sure they’ll be in to visit me with the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
I’d say a few in the county board would be happier taking it to the funeral home to greet me!
Anyway, this is the day of reckoning – All-Ireland final day. Galway are no longer under the radar. They are well and truly exposed and out in plain sight.
And this after all the attention that went on the two main operators all year, Limerick and Cork. That’s what most people were expecting, another big meeting between Munster’s best.
Galway manager Micheál Donoghue has done a fine job to get his team to this stage
Instead, Galway were able to manoeuvre their way through an adequate Leinster championship. They did a good bit of experimentation during the league where their best performance came against Limerick. Micheál Donoghue has done a fine job as manager and I think it will be an epic final. I’m always impressed with the Galway style. They play with a physicality and intensity and the tradition is there when it comes to producing talent.
They demolished Cork. Cork making excuses is only a waste of time.
If not now, then when for Galway? It looks like their dominance of Leinster will continue so their future won’t be decided on this one game.
And we’ve seen different favourites how it doesn’t always go to scipt. I predicted here that Tipperary would stun Cork last year.
How many fancied Spain to put away France in the World Cup semi-final?
Galway come with a nice mix of youth and experience. The young players have brought great energy. Their free-taking is covered in Aaron Niland. They will be underdogs. That will suit them as well.
The one aspect about Limerick is the team is so experienced.
Cian Lynch is back fully fit and will lead the team as captain.
Gearoid Hegarty takes on Cian Galvin of Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final earlier this month
They’ve no injuries and a very strong bench so it’s set up for them.
Their weakness, if they have a weakness, is this coming-from-behind lark. Leaving it til the death. That’s dangerous stuff. They’re too long in the tooth to be giving anyone any advantage. Clare should have put them away in the semi-final.
Limerick haven’t been there since 2023. I think that win will be their cornerstone for their performance this time, when they hit Kilkenny from flagfall with everything they had.
I can clearly remember that match well. I fancied Kilkenny. What I didn’t expect was the ferocity of the Limerick challenge from the very first ball.
Galway have been in a comfort zone if you like. No challenge against Cork. Dublin faded out completely. The gameplan of isolating Jason Rabbitte in the full-forward line and packing the middle of the field with bodies – to me their only chance is to make it a man-to-man final.
They did that successfully against Cork, particularly in the second half.
If they let Barry Nash and these lads off free, they’re fecked. Leaving Rabbitte up there on his own isn’t going to be enough against this Limerick defence. With the power of their attacking play, the range of options, the way they can interchange, they’ll be sunk.
I’d put a lot more emphasis on Conor Whelan than Rabbitte. That will be their downfall if they put all faith in that one attacking player. They can have all the systems they want – one man up, two men up. But as I’ve always said against Limerick, it took a lot of time and heavy beatings for opposition managers to realise that your best hope is marking them.
If they think the system is going to beat Limerick, it will be a long road home.
Conor Whelan fires over a score in Galway’s Leinster senior final victory over Dublin
Limerick have no system, only power and that ferocious competitiveness on the field.
They’ve brought on Aidan O’Connor as a freetaker, though Aaron Gillane’s form has tailed off since he has been taken off them. I’m expecting a huge game from Gillane. Galway are going to realise what a player he is. He was taken off twice in his last two games because the supply dried up. Because the Limerick half-back line were marked.
Rabbitte is only young. This is a different ball game. No doubt he has a great future but if you’re going to pin your hopes on a 19-year-old you’re at nothing.
I’d be planning more around Conor Whelan. While he’s doing well in a roving role, he has the power to do damage closer to goal. The farther the rest of the Galway forwards move out from the Limerick goal, they’ll lap that up.
The Limerick half-forward line are big, mobile men.
Limerick players Diarmaid Byrnes (left)and Peter Casey celebrate their victory over Clare
There’s a drive in Limerick now, and they’ve a very strong bench with the likes of Tom Morrissey or David Reidy ready to come on. Kiely and Kinnerk have the means to pull a rabbit out of the hat if they need to.
They won’t be fazed by any Galway system. They’ll blow that out of the water.
They are a team who will take no prisoners.
This is a rejuvenated Limerick team. Two years out of the main action is a big thing. They look recharged. I don’t see them as getting old or tired.
Sure look at Messi and he’s heading for 40. The Limerick lads are young compared.
Gearóid Hegarty has played every match and remains so important.
Will O’Donoghue has been a revelation at centre-back. Diarmaid Byrnes is heading for Hurler of the Year. Kyle Hayes looks back to his best.
When Mike Casey came in and got stuck into Peter Duggan, he showed all of his experience.
I went for Tipperary last year but I don’t see a repeat. Galway’s dependence on Jason Rabbitte is a weakness. I see him being well marshalled.
Tom Monaghan does carry a real threat as well, as does Niland and Whelan.
But they’ll have to go for points from a long way out and bypass the Limerick half-back line and full-back line which won’t be easy.
Daithí Burke lined out on one leg in the semi-final and suffered for it against Cork but he should be right. They will need a warrior like him.
John Kiely has been phenomenally successful as Limerick manager over the last 10 seasons
I don’t see this being the end of an era with manager John Kiely who is in his 10th season. His role with the Ryder Cup next year will blend in the support of JP McManus for this team.
I don’t hear anybody talking about him retiring.
I sincerely hope it’s a good game. We talk about this great game of hurling and being a national treasure. This year has been a bit of a disaster – outside of the two semi-finals and bar the crowds turning up in huge numbers, led by Cork.
This Limerick team is made up of great sportsmen. With a great attitude. It’s definitely the best hurling team Limerick has every produced. Maybe the best the game has produced.
Limerick to win.
