Limerick are the All-Ireland Hurling Champions once again as they couldn’t be stopped en route to beating Galway 1-29 to 1-18 at Croke Park.
The Treaty men were the much better team on Jones’ Road as they came out of the blocks firing in the second half, scoring four points in quick succession to start the half to extend Limerick’s lead to eight points.
From then on, they were able to seal victory, with Cathal O’Neill’s goal on the 43rd minute putting the game out of sight for Galway, who weren’t able to repeat their heroics from the semi-final win over Cork.
Limerick pulled away even further as Galway were reduced to 14 men as Ronan Glennon was shown a straight red card after he caught Limerick’s Peter Casey on the chin with a challenge.
Conor Cooney was able to score a late consolation goal from a penalty, but it wasn’t enough to prevent The Treaty County from making it six Liam McCarthy Cups in eight years. During captain Cian Lynch’s victory speech, he credited sports psychologist Caroline Currid for her help during the season.
It led to rousing applause for Currid, probably the biggest one ever given to a sports psychologist. And while Limerick celebrates, once again, British viewers were in awe of hurling.
The All-Ireland Hurling Final was shown on BBC2 in the UK again this year, as has been the case in recent times. Their broadcast, as well as showcasing some great analysis, featured celebrity appearances by the likes of Niall Quinn, Neil Delamare, Lindsay Peat and Vittorio Angelone.
"Watching hurling on BBC2, never seen it before. It’s brutal, they’re mental, no idea of the rules, if there are any, I’m loving it," posted one user on X, with another adding: "This is a hard man’s game."
Meanwhile, some were impressed with the physical toll hurling takes on the players, while others were getting used to the scores. "Those guys must be so fit. The pitch is huge, it’s a million miles an hour, and it hardly stops," posted one user. "Just googling the scoring system. Bloody brilliant stuff," posted another.
With the World Cup Final on later, the starter course of an All-Ireland Hurling final was a delight to some. "One of the finest sporting events of the year and not a hydration break in sight! Perfect appetiser for the World Cup final later tonight."
Then others loved it for the brutishness. "I don’t understand hurling, but it looks a bloody rough job to me!"
Hurling is one of the sport’s best-kept secrets outside of Ireland, and with the increased online attention on Gaelic Football during the World Cup, it’d be great if the GAA can capitalise on it.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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