CHAMPS SEE RED
But Limerick survive tough Galway encounter to progress
IN creating this modern hurling dynasty, Limerick have done it every which way. They’ve won summer All-Irelands, winter Covid All-Irelands, won pulling up from the front and won coming from behind.
At Salthill yesterday, they showed that they are good enough to earn a result that clinches a place in the semi-finals of the Allianz Hurling League with just 14 men for more than half the game.
In the run-up to half-time, it looked like Limerick’s aura of invincibility was about to be rudely shattered by Galway. Not just the aura of being four-in-arow All-Ireland champions but one that flows from an 11-game league run without defeat since the opening round of last year’s campaign away to Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
It all happened around the 26 minute mark. Galway number seven Ronan Glennon pulled hard on a ball that dropped around Cian Lynch’s ankles, which the twotime Hurler of the Year took exception to. And rightly so, because it was a bit loose.
A minor schemozzle broke out and Limerick’s Shane O’Brien rashly pulled the helmet off Sean Linnane as he tried to pull the Galway player off Lynch. According to the rulebook, helmet interference is a straight red so while there was no damage done to the player, the Limerick player walked.
It doesn’t help O’Brien’s case in trying to break into a Limerick half-forward line that has scooped every honour available in the game.
Just to take further advantage, Galway won possession and fed Cathal Mannion who grabbed his fourth from play, another quality effort from the right wing.
Seamus Flanagan took an accidental knock to the head as he went down to try and pick a ball – Gearóid Hegarty was on momentarily until his teammate recovered to return to the field.
David Burke rounded off a Galway move that was arguably the score of the half and with Colin Coughlin also gone for Limerick with a leg muscle injury before half-time, Galway were three up at the break – 0-12 to 0-9 – as well as having the man advantage.
And they had time to reorganise and try and figure out how best to get at Limerick.
Against the odds though, the league and All-Ireland holders showed just why they are the best in the land.
Former Hurler of the Year Diarmaid Byrnes came in for
Coughlan and gave an exhibition of long-range free-taking in tough windy conditions. He slotted over five breathtaking scores, the last of which actually put Limerick two ahead heading into the five minutes of added time.
Hegarty was on properly at that stage, banging over another big score himself.
And as Limerick hit a run of scores in the final quarter, as they tend to do, Adam English grabbed his fifth from play to earn the official RTE Man of the Match award.
The result meant Galway missed out on the second semi-final spot with Tipperary beating Antrim to claim second in the group.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom however for Galway manager Henry Shefflin.
Cathal Mannion wore 13 but was so effective playing that roving role that he relishes and like English for Limerick, put together a highlights reel of scores. His brother Padraic was a colossus in defence and it was his driving run forward that earned the free that Evan Niland converted late on to equalise.
David Burke too continued on from the form that inspired St Thomas’ to a club All-Ireland while Fintan Burke had a right physical battle with Aaron Gillane. The thing is, allowing for the fact that Galway were missing Daithí Burke and Conor Whelan, Limerick had so many more first teamers to come back in.
In the second half, John Kiely’s side showed all their battling qualities as the game got ragged in the tough underfoot conditions. At times, it was like rugby, where a maul could have been regularly formed with all the players gathered around the sliotar.
Invariably, it was a Limerick body who emerged with the ball, Will O’Donoghue throwing himself into the fray with abandon, particularly down the home straight.
In fairness, it could have been a turning point had Cathal Mannion found the net in the 42nd minute. The chance came when Tom Monaghan played a super crossfield ball towards the back post where Mannion was lurking. He shaped to go outside then pirouetted and sent a rasper at goal. Nickie Quaid was a match for it, producing a brilliant reaction stop.
The game got really scratchy as conditions worsened and the surface at Salthill cut up a bit.
Diarmaid Byrnes provided a touch of class with the purity of his ball-striking and it looked like Limerick were going to pull off a famous win when his fifth free from distance sailed over. Credit to Galway, they fought hard to eke out the last two scores of the game in the five minutes of injury time, Evan Niland finding his range when it mattered.
A draw wasn’t enough for Galway though on a day when the holders go marching on.