Dublin spring almighty upset against Limerick for All-Ireland SHC semi-final spot

June 21, 2025

Dublin's John Hetherton celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Limerick ©INPHO/James Crombie

Dublin pulled off a massive upset to dump Limerick out of the All-Ireland senior hurling championship with a 2-24 to 0-28 victory at Croke Park this afternoon.

Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s side were reduced to 14 men after 15 minutes at headquarters with the dismissal of Chris Crummey on a straight red card after catching Gearoid Hegarty high on the way past.

Limerick had led by 0-7 to 0-5 at that stage of this quarter-final showdown, but their capital counterparts soon got it level and the points of Fergal Whitely, Ronan Hayes and Conor Burke surged them in front before scores from Sean Currie (free) and Rian McBride saw them taking in an unlikely 0-15 to 0-12 lead at the half.

Most neutrals would’ve expected John Kiely’s team to take control in the second-half, however it was Dublin that stretched their advantage instead, sailing over points via Burke and Hayes, before the Shannonsiders outscored them 0-6 to 0-1 to level matters by the 50th minute with Adam English and Aidan O’Connor to the fore.

Aaron Gillane (0-9) nudged the Munster side back in front before Dublin responded with back-to-back goals from John Hetherton and Cian O’Sullivan that stunned their opponents and left this year’s shock of the championship very much within reach.

The closing quarter saw Limerick pushing hard to save their season but, ultimately, coming up short as Sean Brennan stood firm in the Dublin goal and points from Hayes and Currie (two frees) sealed the famous result for Ó Ceallacháin’s men that now sees them into the semi-finals against Cork on July 5th.


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