Tough run had left tired Tribesmen vulnerable as ferocious hunger of Treaty players proved key

ALLOW me to take you back a couple of days, to Saturday’s column. Yes, I tipped Galway to win yesterday’s All-Ireland final, but I did fear for them in that I felt they weren’t as fresh coming into this one, compared to 12 months ago.

They were after coming through a tougher schedule than Limerick – three energy-sapping games against Kilkenny and two more against Clare in a hectic schedule – and they were coughing up chances they hadn’t been offering teams in 2017, and at the start of the Leinster championship.

I stated that there were areas in defence that Limerick could expose and make hay.

And I predicted that Limerick would target Gearóid McInerney, who was passed fit but maybe not 100pc right within himself.

Kyle Hayes took him on a tour of Croke Park and the Limerick youngster had a terrific game.

I wondered how Galway would react if they fell behind early on in this game. They didn’t react well, but to their credit they showed fair bottle down the home straight to almost draw level.

The ‘16th man’ was critical for Limerick as well. I reckon Croke Park was three-quarters green and white yesterday.

For the most part, Galway looked f lat, lethargic and laboured in their play.

Limerick were totally dominant in the early exchanges and from the get-go, they totally out-fought Galway.

In the ninth minute, Seamus Flanagan hit McInerney (right, above) a shoulder and turned him over. That set the tone and Galway couldn’t cope with the movement of the Limerick forwards.

They were constantly on the move and while I feared for Limerick against Johnny Glynn on the edge of the square, Mike Casey was excellent.

That entire full-back line was really good and Nickie Quaid did well with his puck-outs.

From 8 to 15, Limerick were humming and scoring. They were in a really good place at half-time and crucially they had all got on the ball early and got a feel of theplay.

You can’t beat a couple of early scores in an All-Ireland final and with the exception of Pádraic Mannion, Galway didn’t look at all comfortable in defence.

Their puck-outs were inconsistent and Galway werereliantonDavid Burke and Joseph Cooney from play to keep them in it, and Joe Canning frees.

Their forwards were practically non-existent and you got the sense at half-time that this was Limerick’s game to lose.

I kept a close eye on Limerick before the game and just before throw-in the camera panned to John Kiely and he was laughing, so relaxed.

Even in the meet and greet with President Higgins, Limerick looked like they were a physical match for Galway.

When the ball was thrown in they went at Galway and were so ravenous, strong in the tackle, hunting in packs, full of energy and bringing a very high work ethic. They did to Galway what Galway have been doing to other teams since 2016.

Physically and tactically, Limerick bullied Galway for large parts of this game and yet they

could have lost it. It would have been a worse feeling than 1994 if Limerick left this one behind them – they might never have recovered from it.

Thankfully, from their point of view, they got over the line and earned their just rewards.

They were the fresher team and played with no fear, no baggage. This was a group of players hell-bent on going out and creating their own history.

As for Galway, they’ve had a tough road over the last few years, and they’ve played an enormous amount of hurling.

It caught up with them in the end, but they have been wonderful champions and just met their match against a Limerick team eager to go out and express themselves.

That’s how you play when you’re young – you want to go out and really enjoy and embrace the occasion.

I was struck by the Limerick mindset. This was a massive occasion and I wondered how they’d take to it, but it was Galway who looked like the team with the weight of the world on their shoulders.

You’ve got to hand it to John Kiely (left, below) because this was the best prepared Limerick team that ever went to Croke Park.

He had everything spot on and left no stone unturned in the pursuit of glory.

It was a magical day, a throwback to the ’90s, and in the space of six seasons now, we’ve had new winners from outside the traditional order – Clare, Galway and now Limerick.

The Limerick crowd was incredible. I don’t think I ever experienced an atmosphere like it – and you had 20,000 back in the Gaelic Grounds.

I was delighted for JP McManus, who has put his money behind the team for so long now. I also thought of men like Ciaran Carey, Gary Kirby, Clem Smith, Ollie Moran, and the more recent vintage, Gavin O’Mahony, James ‘Jim Bob’ Ryan, Donal O’Grady, recent retirees.

This day was as much for them as anyone else.

And I felt a little envious, I have to admit.

As The Cranberries blared out, I almost shed a tear because this is what hurling needed, what Limerick craved.

I’d love my own county to experience this just once – to savour those moments, to feel that winning feeling.

Galway have been terrific champions but this was Limerick’s day. There must be nothing like it.