GALWAY PLAYER RATINGS
Darach Fahy 6
Brilliant early save from Hegarty but it was obvious early that his puck-out would be under enormous pressure. It never relented.
Joshua Ryan 6
For sheer endurance, his performance stood out. He was fouled for the late penalty, but was under ceaseless pressure at the other end.
Cillian Trayers 6
Probably Galway’s best performer, and that’s despite the difficulties Aaron Gillane gave him. He never stopped battling, and won his share of ball.
Galway captain Darren Morrissey shakes hands before the game with his Limerick counterpart Cian Lynch
Darren Morrissey 5
After a fine campaign in which he got on the front foot regularly, this was a day under siege for the skipper.
Padraic Mannion 5
The veteran battled manfully against Cathal O’Neill, but the middle third was a waste ground for Galway as Limerick routed them.
Daithí Burke 6
Wore six but at full back, he wasn’t stressed by Shane O’Brien and his fitness held up despite fears it could creak.
Ronan Glennon 5
An rough day for Glennon, who was deservedly sent off for a high hit. Had suffered given Hegarty’s form before that.
Tiernan Killeen 5
Faced the insoluble problem of trying to move through Limerick’s green wall defence, and it took a toll as he looked shattered.
Gavin Lee 5
He was swallowed up by a cluster of Limerick tacklers any time he came into possession, and could make no headway.
Tom Monaghan 6
Rallied in the third quarter and it was a surprise to see him replaced in the 55th minute but struggled before then.
Cathal Mannion 5
Another who found himself consumed by the green forcefield any time he tried to move forwards, his impact was nullified.
Jason Rabbitte was one of the positive stories for Galway on a difficult day for the Tribesmen
Darragh Neary 5
He just could not get into the game, and was booked just before half time for a loose chop on Cian Lynch.
Conor Whelan 5
He was allowed to roam by the Limerick defence, and was caught up in the congestion that Limerick applied to the middle third.
Jason Rabbitte 6
Along with Trayers and Niland, the big positive for Galway. He had Peter Casey switched after 10 minutes, then had Sean Finn under enormous pressure.
Aaron Niland 6
An excellent showing from a player who never stopped showing or trying, and he looked spent when he was replaced.
Substitutes 5
There was nothing any replacement could do to turn this match. Conor Cooney finished up with 1-2, but the game was long gone by then. John Fleming and Colm Molloy tried hard too but the outcome had long been settled.
Manager 5
In truth, there was little Micheál Donoghue could do to affect a game that was dictated entirely on Limerick’s terms. There was no point in persisting with short puck-outs throughout the first half. Could have left Monaghan on longer too.
Galway manager Micheál Donoghue looks on ruefully as Limerick power to victory yesterday
