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Limerick Senior Hurling 2026

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It's the morning afterwards. The elation felt after that goal and final whistle was unreal. Hegarty was colossal again. Kept hanging in. Took points and didn't go for goals too early.

Clare deserves huge credit for the fight they were always going to bring.

A worrying trend though is Gillane 's form since the injury. Galway also make people shoot from far. Right now who is the only one doing that for us consistently Byrnes. Before this match I thought we would see a much improved Gillane and better shooting. Too games in a row where we haven't hotter near the e0 point mark. I thought we might cone up with a plan for Galway but now it's more can we get form back in time.
Delighted but very worried too

Mads (Limerick) - Posts: 392 - 06/07/2026 07:56:00    2684426

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Thought we got out if jail yesterday, the flip side is the patience and know how we have showed in our last two games to come with late rallies to win those games.


Hegarty proved to be the diffrerence along with Lynchs introduction, thought in 1st half if we got good ball into our full forward line a goal was there for the taking and so it proved.

Gillane is a shadow of what he produced in the League, his confidence looks shot at moment.

Galway are a worry in the final, a young hungry team with some All Ireland winners with their experience is a great mix.


Please god we can get one more performance out of lads in two wks time

Sliothar73 (Limerick) - Posts: 22 - 06/07/2026 10:22:31    2684447

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It coming home

hlynch12 (Limerick) - Posts: 172 - 06/07/2026 10:27:35    2684449

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Replying To Sliothar73:  "Thought we got out if jail yesterday, the flip side is the patience and know how we have showed in our last two games to come with late rallies to win those games.


Hegarty proved to be the diffrerence along with Lynchs introduction, thought in 1st half if we got good ball into our full forward line a goal was there for the taking and so it proved.

Gillane is a shadow of what he produced in the League, his confidence looks shot at moment.

Galway are a worry in the final, a young hungry team with some All Ireland winners with their experience is a great mix.


Please god we can get one more performance out of lads in two wks time"
They should try gillane centre forward in the final. He would have more space and could do damage there

richiepmurphy (Kilkenny) - Posts: 135 - 06/07/2026 12:09:05    2684475

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you can do nothing but admire this limerick team when the question was asked of them yesterday they delivered. will be a great final galway look an improving team but cork collapsed again.we need cian on the pitch for the final and gillane back in the groove again.

munsterchamps (Limerick) - Posts: 1163 - 06/07/2026 12:37:02    2684482

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Replying To munsterchamps:  "you can do nothing but admire this limerick team when the question was asked of them yesterday they delivered. will be a great final galway look an improving team but cork collapsed again.we need cian on the pitch for the final and gillane back in the groove again."
What is Cians injury? 2 wks is a very short turnaround for any injury to clear up. His impact and presence was immediate yesterday. We are a different animal with him on the team.
Hego immense yesterday yet again and Byrnes came into it in the second half when we really needed him. We won ugly yesterday and that's often not a bad place to be heading in to an all Ireland final. Clare threw everything at us yesterday and we still got over the line.

Mike Casey may have done enough to warrant a start too the next day. Dan found it tough going and Casey played well when he came on. Despite the massive height difference if he is marking Rabbit he has shown previously against Johnny Glynn, Duggan or Brian Hayes he's able to handle it and absolutely teak tough. Dan is the man if he can stand in the square and compete but if he is constantly being dragged out maybe Casey is the better option. Clare had targeted this area as somewhere Limerick could be got at.

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 495 - 06/07/2026 13:25:42    2684489

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Replying To hlynch12:  "It coming home"
KK are not in final

Newyorkkat (Kilkenny) - Posts: 196 - 06/07/2026 13:58:05    2684494

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Replying To Newyorkkat:  "KK are not in final"
Ive a feeling he isnt in Limerick either

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20240 - 06/07/2026 15:42:15    2684520

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Replying To Sliothar73:  "Thought we got out if jail yesterday, the flip side is the patience and know how we have showed in our last two games to come with late rallies to win those games.


Hegarty proved to be the diffrerence along with Lynchs introduction, thought in 1st half if we got good ball into our full forward line a goal was there for the taking and so it proved.

Gillane is a shadow of what he produced in the League, his confidence looks shot at moment.

Galway are a worry in the final, a young hungry team with some All Ireland winners with their experience is a great mix.


Please god we can get one more performance out of lads in two wks time"
Really looking forward to the final, but regardless of the outcome I wouldn't bet against Limerick being back again at or near the top again next year. I think there is more than one more big performance in this fabulous team.

midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 639 - 06/07/2026 15:54:37    2684523

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Replying To midlands:  "Really looking forward to the final, but regardless of the outcome I wouldn't bet against Limerick being back again at or near the top again next year. I think there is more than one more big performance in this fabulous team."
I have a sneaky feeling there could be big changes after this season but that's talk for a few weeks time.

Galway will bring a different challenge to Limerick than Cork or Clare. It's complete roll reversal to when many of the Limerick guys started their amazing journey back in 2018 as inexperienced young fellas, now they are the aul fellas up against an inexperienced but talented side. The journey they have been on together has been phenomenal and seeing the togetherness of the players on the field after the match shows the bond they have. The emotion from Hego at end of the match was powerful, so too was the interview from Byrnes. Gives the general public a chance to see the great character of these men..

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 495 - 06/07/2026 23:29:26    2684615

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Replying To Fitzy01:  "What is Cians injury? 2 wks is a very short turnaround for any injury to clear up. His impact and presence was immediate yesterday. We are a different animal with him on the team.
Hego immense yesterday yet again and Byrnes came into it in the second half when we really needed him. We won ugly yesterday and that's often not a bad place to be heading in to an all Ireland final. Clare threw everything at us yesterday and we still got over the line.

Mike Casey may have done enough to warrant a start too the next day. Dan found it tough going and Casey played well when he came on. Despite the massive height difference if he is marking Rabbit he has shown previously against Johnny Glynn, Duggan or Brian Hayes he's able to handle it and absolutely teak tough. Dan is the man if he can stand in the square and compete but if he is constantly being dragged out maybe Casey is the better option. Clare had targeted this area as somewhere Limerick could be got at."
Dan is usually solidness personified. Even when Casey was playing well in his place as soon as Dan was fit they fast tracked him back in. But yesterday his head wasn't right from the start witness the over hit ball over the sideline. Great to have the likes of Casey to bring in and he played a huge role in clinching the win
Big selection calls for the final - not just the full back line.
Will Lynch be fit to start, DOD was also poor Sunday, and English played a pivotal role even if he was in and out a bit. Gillane still not at his best, Tom doing well as a sub but do you want him to start now?
Galways performance v Cork would make them favourites but for our consistency down the years. You know Limerick will show up for the final. Not saying Galway won't but the bookies odds for final will reflect more than semi finals weekend

Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 279 - 07/07/2026 07:13:46    2684630

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Big selection calls for the Final alright.

Bearing in mind the way Galway pull everyone back in defence and close off the space the normal cross field ball in front of Aaron Gillane will likely be a non runner and on that basis there is a case to be made he might not start. If Cian Lynch is fully fit he has to be included so it might be as simple as swapping Gillane for Lynch.

In defence Dan had one of his loosest outings ever. Dan is a fine hurler who tries to play the ball. Mike Casey doesn't care about the ball as he plays the man, and that is what was required against Clare down the stretch. Interesting to see what way they decide to try and tackle Joe Rabitte in the final

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 277 - 07/07/2026 11:01:54    2684655

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Replying To Yadse:  "Dan is usually solidness personified. Even when Casey was playing well in his place as soon as Dan was fit they fast tracked him back in. But yesterday his head wasn't right from the start witness the over hit ball over the sideline. Great to have the likes of Casey to bring in and he played a huge role in clinching the win
Big selection calls for the final - not just the full back line.
Will Lynch be fit to start, DOD was also poor Sunday, and English played a pivotal role even if he was in and out a bit. Gillane still not at his best, Tom doing well as a sub but do you want him to start now?
Galways performance v Cork would make them favourites but for our consistency down the years. You know Limerick will show up for the final. Not saying Galway won't but the bookies odds for final will reflect more than semi finals weekend"
Limerick are 1/2 for the final and rightly so. Galway around 9/4. A team which has been there and done it plenty times. That counts for a lot in a final.
Thankfully we still have some who won in 2017, as their experience will be crucial. We've also seen teams who win their semi-finals easily lose to those who came through a right battle, which makes me worried.
At the same time, it's a great chance for our lads and they've generally played without fear all year. The young lads have a brought a real energy to it.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2938 - 07/07/2026 11:46:44    2684659

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Is it too simple to suggest just doubling up on Rabbitte i.e. keep one player in front and one on his side as he if often up top almost on his own. The Cork corner backs spent a lot of time in oceans of space. Cork don't have a Barry Nash type player who will create, play make and drift up the field if he's no one to mark and its a game he is comfortable in so that is already one headache Galway will have to face that they didn't have to worry about Cork, also Byrnes will shoot all day from 70 yards if the Galway team retreats back, Cork didn't really have that option. Also Hego provides an immediate outball if all else fails. The tactical battle on this one will be intriguing, the middle third will be an absolute war zone

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 495 - 07/07/2026 13:28:00    2684692

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "Big selection calls for the Final alright.

Bearing in mind the way Galway pull everyone back in defence and close off the space the normal cross field ball in front of Aaron Gillane will likely be a non runner and on that basis there is a case to be made he might not start. If Cian Lynch is fully fit he has to be included so it might be as simple as swapping Gillane for Lynch.

In defence Dan had one of his loosest outings ever. Dan is a fine hurler who tries to play the ball. Mike Casey doesn't care about the ball as he plays the man, and that is what was required against Clare down the stretch. Interesting to see what way they decide to try and tackle Joe Rabitte in the final"
I hope is Jason that starts and not his aul lad Joe, sure he must be in his 50s now, prob still good to field a few high balls though.

The_DOC (Galway) - Posts: 860 - 07/07/2026 15:22:56    2684713

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Replying To Yadse:  "Dan is usually solidness personified. Even when Casey was playing well in his place as soon as Dan was fit they fast tracked him back in. But yesterday his head wasn't right from the start witness the over hit ball over the sideline. Great to have the likes of Casey to bring in and he played a huge role in clinching the win
Big selection calls for the final - not just the full back line.
Will Lynch be fit to start, DOD was also poor Sunday, and English played a pivotal role even if he was in and out a bit. Gillane still not at his best, Tom doing well as a sub but do you want him to start now?
Galways performance v Cork would make them favourites but for our consistency down the years. You know Limerick will show up for the final. Not saying Galway won't but the bookies odds for final will reflect more than semi finals weekend"
This Limerick squad puts it on you physically. That's what wears Galway down with Limerick. It's nothing to do with hurling ability. Galway were level with Limerick at 70mins in the 2020 and 2022 semis, but in the 2023 semi Galway couldn't withstand the physical toll, and the match was over midway through the second half. Interestingly, the 2022 and 2023 finals v Kilkenny mirrored that exact same pattern.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4851 - 07/07/2026 17:01:52    2684729

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If Lynch is fit enough to start, Limerick will win handy enough. If not, they won't, though they still might win.
Its not going to be a good game lads. The 2 Provincial finals, the quarter finals and semi finals were all poor quality. Plenty of intensity and even excitement in some of the games, or parts of the games, but loads of wides, mishit passes straight to opponents, shots dropped short, passes dropped, balls miscontrolled, etc. Its been a bad June and July for hurling really.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20240 - 07/07/2026 19:52:50    2684755

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Replying To Viking66:  "If Lynch is fit enough to start, Limerick will win handy enough. If not, they won't, though they still might win.
Its not going to be a good game lads. The 2 Provincial finals, the quarter finals and semi finals were all poor quality. Plenty of intensity and even excitement in some of the games, or parts of the games, but loads of wides, mishit passes straight to opponents, shots dropped short, passes dropped, balls miscontrolled, etc. Its been a bad June and July for hurling really."
Scoring 2-26 and winning by 11 against a side that the cognoscenti had winning by 12+, I'd declare myself happy enough with the wide count, and certainly not at all as 'distraught' as you are about it.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4851 - 08/07/2026 10:39:02    2684796

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Replying To Viking66:  "If Lynch is fit enough to start, Limerick will win handy enough. If not, they won't, though they still might win.
Its not going to be a good game lads. The 2 Provincial finals, the quarter finals and semi finals were all poor quality. Plenty of intensity and even excitement in some of the games, or parts of the games, but loads of wides, mishit passes straight to opponents, shots dropped short, passes dropped, balls miscontrolled, etc. Its been a bad June and July for hurling really."
I give Galway a right chance in the final. I think Limerick's radar has been off in both the Munster and AI semi final's but they still managed to find a way to win. I think the final may just be a bridge to far for them, in fact I'm convinced of it, and think Galway's mix of youth and experience will get hem over the line. Coming in as big underdogs will also suit them.

Agree with you on the standard of hurling over the last few months. It has been scrappy with some really wayward shooting and passes, although Limerick and Galway won't care about that. They are the best two teams in the country and fully deserve to be in the final.

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 607 - 08/07/2026 11:41:19    2684804

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