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Limerick Senior Hurling 2026

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The GOAT. John Kiely take a bow.

hlynch12 (Limerick) - Posts: 244 - 20/07/2026 17:09:18    2686403

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Replying To endgame:  "Galway easily beat a Cork team well seasoned on the intensity of Munster hurling. But that was a semi final.. Galway have a history of playing poorly in All Ireland hurling finals and yesterday was more of the same. 21 lost out of 26 played. A terrible record."
If we hadn't had a borderline automatic ticket to the semi final 1975-1996, we'd have lost about 10 less finals, because we wouldn't have been in those finals. Would that still be a terrible record? Possibly not.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4878 - 20/07/2026 17:19:50    2686405

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Replying To endgame:  "Galway easily beat a Cork team well seasoned on the intensity of Munster hurling. But that was a semi final.. Galway have a history of playing poorly in All Ireland hurling finals and yesterday was more of the same. 21 lost out of 26 played. A terrible record."
The second half of that game was not intense or physical The first half wasn't that physical for that matter. Not compared to the following day or the Munster finsl for that matter.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 757 - 20/07/2026 22:06:44    2686434

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Replying To Viking66:  "If lack of battles in Leinster did them no favours, how did they beat Cork so easily?"
That wasn't a true Cork performance. I have no skin in that game but they have played to far higher standards than what they showed in the semis. It did ye no favours having Cork wilt so easy.

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 501 - 21/07/2026 00:33:42    2686440

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Replying To Fitzy01:  "That wasn't a true Cork performance. I have no skin in that game but they have played to far higher standards than what they showed in the semis. It did ye no favours having Cork wilt so easy."
Just out of interest what is a true Cork performance these days? They look as inconsistent as Galway and Wexford would more traditionally look.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20329 - 21/07/2026 10:23:08    2686456

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Some crowds around Limerick city last night , the amount of kids in Perry square for the teams homecoming was unreal , every pub in the city was wedged with a great athmosphere. The best homecoming night since the one in 2018 at the Gaelic grounds .

OpenStand (Limerick) - Posts: 778 - 21/07/2026 11:29:28    2686466

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Replying To Viking66:  "Just out of interest what is a true Cork performance these days? They look as inconsistent as Galway and Wexford would more traditionally look."
Cork won all their games in the Munster RR, which included beating the current AI champions. They lost the Munster final to the same oposition by 1 point. Our malfucntions appear to be croke park related, and critiscism (rightly so) will continue to dog us until that is rectified. Galway won all bar one of their Leinster RR games and won the Leinster final, then beat Cork in the semi final. Losing to this Limerick team is no shame for them.

To say both our counties are as 'inconsisent' as Wexford is a bit of a strecth, your lads won one game and that was against Kildare who were relegated. In fact I would go as far as saying that Wexford are not inconsistent at all, but very consistent in terms of their results

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 614 - 21/07/2026 12:26:26    2686477

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what a weekend in dublin what a team and what a performance. when limerick get within touchig distance of liam mccarthy noone beats them. they save the best until last each time. what a team, and the talk is they aint going anywhere which isnt good news for everyone else. people asking how did galway beat cork so easy its very simple cork collapsed .

munsterchamps (Limerick) - Posts: 1167 - 21/07/2026 12:50:28    2686484

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "Cork won all their games in the Munster RR, which included beating the current AI champions. They lost the Munster final to the same oposition by 1 point. Our malfucntions appear to be croke park related, and critiscism (rightly so) will continue to dog us until that is rectified. Galway won all bar one of their Leinster RR games and won the Leinster final, then beat Cork in the semi final. Losing to this Limerick team is no shame for them.

To say both our counties are as 'inconsisent' as Wexford is a bit of a strecth, your lads won one game and that was against Kildare who were relegated. In fact I would go as far as saying that Wexford are not inconsistent at all, but very consistent in terms of their results"
I wasnt talking about anything recent when it comes to us. We dont get consistent performances since the 1970s regardless of whether we are in general good or bad in any given year. And most of the Galway teams since the 90s were the same, except 2017. Could vary in performance levels from 1 game to the next. Could be not great in general but play one good game all year, or the other way around, which is what Cork and Galway did this year.
And, yes, I agree this year was the first consistent year we have had in a good while.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20329 - 21/07/2026 12:53:11    2686485

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Replying To Viking66:  "Just out of interest what is a true Cork performance these days? They look as inconsistent as Galway and Wexford would more traditionally look."
After Evey game cork played in Munster including the final they were still alive if they lost. They beat a very poor Offaly team. The one knockout game they played where they was no tomorrow if they lost. they lost big

Newyorkkat (Kilkenny) - Posts: 199 - 21/07/2026 14:07:42    2686493

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Cork getting to the last three All Ireland Semi Finals and two of the last three finals makes them probably one of the most consistent teams in the Championship. In the History of the GAA very few teams reach 3 finals in a row.

Remember even Limerick did not make the final for two years before this year, and earlier this year lots of people were saying they were done for, too much milage on the clock etc. as they had lost 4 championship matches in a row (i.e. Clare in final round robin of 2025, Cork in the Munster final 2025, Dublin in Quarter final 2025 and Cork in opening Round Robin 2026)

All I know is that, at the moment Cork still look like the biggest threat to Limerick, and if they keep giving themselves opportunities, probability means that an all Ireland will fall their way eventually. And as I well know from following Limerick over the years when they do get over the line it will probably sweeter for them than any All Ireland they have won before now.

Even in Limerick this all Ireland is being celebrated around the city the last two nights way more than the three or four in a rows and its because we had a two year gap. Party moves to Patrickswell this evening will be good craic.

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 294 - 21/07/2026 14:38:39    2686495

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Replying To Viking66:  "Just out of interest what is a true Cork performance these days? They look as inconsistent as Galway and Wexford would more traditionally look."
I suppose as a Limerick Supporter who has seen Cork play against us year in year out, i'm mainly speaking to the level they generally hit when they play us but also how they performed in RR and the Munster final, i would see that as their true level. I see where you are coming from but I wouldn't put them in the same bracket as Galway or Wexford, they seem to have a slightly different issue to resolve when not comes to the business end of things be it lack of leaders on the field, lack of ball winners in the half forward line, managements in game calls when plan A doesn't work or simply coming in with the mindset of back to back champions each year without travelling the hard road first. They should be embracing that hurt and carry it with them. Limerick had to relearn this lesson last year after the Dublin game.

Anyway this is the Limerick thread and we are the All Ireland Champions, if someone wanted to open a thread on this it would make for interesting discussion :)

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 501 - 21/07/2026 14:58:55    2686498

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "Cork getting to the last three All Ireland Semi Finals and two of the last three finals makes them probably one of the most consistent teams in the Championship. In the History of the GAA very few teams reach 3 finals in a row.

Remember even Limerick did not make the final for two years before this year, and earlier this year lots of people were saying they were done for, too much milage on the clock etc. as they had lost 4 championship matches in a row (i.e. Clare in final round robin of 2025, Cork in the Munster final 2025, Dublin in Quarter final 2025 and Cork in opening Round Robin 2026)

All I know is that, at the moment Cork still look like the biggest threat to Limerick, and if they keep giving themselves opportunities, probability means that an all Ireland will fall their way eventually. And as I well know from following Limerick over the years when they do get over the line it will probably sweeter for them than any All Ireland they have won before now.

Even in Limerick this all Ireland is being celebrated around the city the last two nights way more than the three or four in a rows and its because we had a two year gap. Party moves to Patrickswell this evening will be good craic."
"Cork getting to the last three All Ireland Semi Finals and two of the last three finals makes them probably one of the most consistent teams in the Championship. In the History of the GAA very few teams reach 3 finals in a row."

Just this decade Clare reached 3 AISFs in a row. Galway have reached 4 AISFs, Limerick and Kilkenny have reached even more. Just 2 of those counties have won AIs this decade though.

As regards over history Cork have reached 3 finals in a row numerous numerous times. As have Kilkenny. Tipp also. Galway on several occasions too. In fact all of those counties along with your own have reached 4 AIFs in a row before.
Even Wexford and Dublin and London have reached 3 finals in a row.
Laois matched Corks recent achievement of 2 finals in a row, although they won one of them.

Taking the whole history of the GAA reaching 3 finals in a row isnt actually that rare. Dozens of teams have achieved it, including many previous Cork teams.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20329 - 21/07/2026 17:05:28    2686512

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "Cork getting to the last three All Ireland Semi Finals and two of the last three finals makes them probably one of the most consistent teams in the Championship. In the History of the GAA very few teams reach 3 finals in a row.

Remember even Limerick did not make the final for two years before this year, and earlier this year lots of people were saying they were done for, too much milage on the clock etc. as they had lost 4 championship matches in a row (i.e. Clare in final round robin of 2025, Cork in the Munster final 2025, Dublin in Quarter final 2025 and Cork in opening Round Robin 2026)

All I know is that, at the moment Cork still look like the biggest threat to Limerick, and if they keep giving themselves opportunities, probability means that an all Ireland will fall their way eventually. And as I well know from following Limerick over the years when they do get over the line it will probably sweeter for them than any All Ireland they have won before now.

Even in Limerick this all Ireland is being celebrated around the city the last two nights way more than the three or four in a rows and its because we had a two year gap. Party moves to Patrickswell this evening will be good craic."
Are Cork good enough to win the AI? Most definitely. They just haven't been able to get over the line. As BnB says, it seems to be more of a Croke Park issue than anything else.

However, I am not sure if Ben O'Connor is the man to lead them. I get grief for being hard on Cork, but did you see the way some of their own, the likes of Mark Landers, tore into BOC after the Galway defeat? I hear that even within his own parish, he wouldn't have the support of certain people.

However, to win Liam, Cork, I believe need some more good young players, and they should be there given their recent U-20 record, to come through. According to my honest assessment, Cork needs two defenders, a midfielder, but they have plenty forwards

Patrick Collins: Won't find better in Cork or almost any other county.
Niall O'Leary: Fine defender
Daire O'Leary: When fit, a good defender.
Eoin Downey: As good a half back as Cork have but not a full-back line man.
Seán O'Donoghue: A player that I have good time for, but I think his best days are behind him.
Ciarán Joyce: Has to be the full-back around which the last line of the defense is built.
Damien Cahalane: Not up to it in my opinion
Robert Downey: Superb leader and fine center-back
Mark Coleman: For all his skill and hurling ability, I still have my reservations.
Tim O'Mahony: Has been there a while and has gotten every chance; can't see Cork winning with him.
Tommy O'Connell: The same as I wrote for O'Mahoney.
Ethan Twomey: A strong impact sub to bring in.
Diarmuid Healy: Well up to it; a handful for most half-backs.
Darragh Fitzgibbon: Great player and captain but play him midfield.
Shane Barrett: Another fine player; well up to it.
Alan Connolly: Another who doesn't cut it for me.
Brian Hayes: In the top 5 hurlers in the country, phenomenal
Seamus Harnedy: Still life in him, can't understand why he didn't come in against Galway, especially when Cork had no half forward to win their own ball.
William Buckley: Great prospect and will trouble most backs.
Alan Walsh: Well up to it and this year should bring him on a lot.
Barry Walsh: Another who is well up to it and this year should bring him on a lot.
Declan Dalton: Could be a key player for Cork if used wisely.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2613 - 21/07/2026 18:04:50    2686521

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Replying To Viking66:  ""Cork getting to the last three All Ireland Semi Finals and two of the last three finals makes them probably one of the most consistent teams in the Championship. In the History of the GAA very few teams reach 3 finals in a row."

Just this decade Clare reached 3 AISFs in a row. Galway have reached 4 AISFs, Limerick and Kilkenny have reached even more. Just 2 of those counties have won AIs this decade though.

As regards over history Cork have reached 3 finals in a row numerous numerous times. As have Kilkenny. Tipp also. Galway on several occasions too. In fact all of those counties along with your own have reached 4 AIFs in a row before.
Even Wexford and Dublin and London have reached 3 finals in a row.
Laois matched Corks recent achievement of 2 finals in a row, although they won one of them.

Taking the whole history of the GAA reaching 3 finals in a row isnt actually that rare. Dozens of teams have achieved it, including many previous Cork teams."
When did Tipp reach 4 AIFs in a row before? They've never done four-in-a-row of Munster titles, and they haven't been in four finals in a row since the back door came in, in 1997, so I fail to see how your comment adds up, Viking.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2613 - 21/07/2026 18:09:39    2686523

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Replying To foreveryoung:  "When did Tipp reach 4 AIFs in a row before? They've never done four-in-a-row of Munster titles, and they haven't been in four finals in a row since the back door came in, in 1997, so I fail to see how your comment adds up, Viking."
You are right about Tipp, Im wrong. They've reached 3 finals in a row a few times, and won 3 finals in a row twice. London were in 4 finals in a row, but they got a bye to them!
Point still stands though, reaching 2 finals in a row and 3 semifinals in a row isnt historically outstanding.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20329 - 21/07/2026 21:34:57    2686542

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cork are still the second best team in the country but its a mental thing with cork. when the safety net is gone and the pressure comes on they havent the mental toughness for it. but not leaving pat ryan there was a big mistake. the longer the drought goes on the tougher its going to get to win an allireland.

munsterchamps (Limerick) - Posts: 1167 - 22/07/2026 12:26:11    2686590

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Replying To Viking66:  ""Cork getting to the last three All Ireland Semi Finals and two of the last three finals makes them probably one of the most consistent teams in the Championship. In the History of the GAA very few teams reach 3 finals in a row."

Just this decade Clare reached 3 AISFs in a row. Galway have reached 4 AISFs, Limerick and Kilkenny have reached even more. Just 2 of those counties have won AIs this decade though.

As regards over history Cork have reached 3 finals in a row numerous numerous times. As have Kilkenny. Tipp also. Galway on several occasions too. In fact all of those counties along with your own have reached 4 AIFs in a row before.
Even Wexford and Dublin and London have reached 3 finals in a row.
Laois matched Corks recent achievement of 2 finals in a row, although they won one of them.

Taking the whole history of the GAA reaching 3 finals in a row isnt actually that rare. Dozens of teams have achieved it, including many previous Cork teams."
My apologies, your correct,

but to clarify what I should have said was "recent" history and the current Cork team. I believe they have been one of the most consistent teams of recent years despite not getting the job done on the finals.

Cork are still a threat and will get there in the coming years.

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 294 - 22/07/2026 13:04:04    2686596

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Replying To munsterchamps:  "cork are still the second best team in the country but its a mental thing with cork. when the safety net is gone and the pressure comes on they havent the mental toughness for it. but not leaving pat ryan there was a big mistake. the longer the drought goes on the tougher its going to get to win an allireland."
Are Cork good enough to win the AI? Most definitely. They just haven't been able to get over the line. As BnB says, it seems to be more of a Croke Park issue than anything else.
However, I am not sure if Ben O'Connor is the man to lead them.
To win Liam, Cork, I believe need some more good young players, and they should be there given their recent U-20 record, to come through. According to my honest assessment, Cork needs two defenders, a midfielder, but they have plenty forwards. These are the players that they build an AI winning team around. Players that I left out are those that I think do not cut it.

Patrick Collins: Won't find better in Cork or almost any other county.
Niall O'Leary: Fine defender
Daire O'Leary: When fit, a good defender.
Eoin Downey: As good a half back as Cork have but not a full-back line man.
Seán O'Donoghue: A player that I have good time for, but I think his best days might be behind him.
Ciarán Joyce: Has to be the full-back around which the last line of the defense is built.
Robert Downey: Superb leader and fine center-back
Ethan Twomey: A strong impact sub to bring in.
Diarmuid Healy: Well up to it; a handful for most half-backs.
Darragh Fitzgibbon: Great player and captain but play him midfield.
Shane Barrett: Another fine player; well up to it.
Brian Hayes: In the top 5 hurlers in the country, phenomenal
Seamus Harnedy: Still life in him, can't understand why he didn't come in against Galway, especially when Cork had no half forward to win their own ball.
William Buckley: Great prospect and will trouble most backs.
Alan Walsh: Well up to it and this year should bring him on a lot.
Barry Walsh: Another who is well up to it and this year should bring him on a lot.
Declan Dalton: Could be a key player for Cork if used wisely.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2613 - 22/07/2026 17:32:52    2686641

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Replying To munsterchamps:  "cork are still the second best team in the country but its a mental thing with cork. when the safety net is gone and the pressure comes on they havent the mental toughness for it. but not leaving pat ryan there was a big mistake. the longer the drought goes on the tougher its going to get to win an allireland."
Couldn't agree more about Pat Ryan, all the Limerick players talk about having a happy camp, having fun, enjoying each others company etc. Kiely is tough as nails but there is also fun and craic in him and he recognises the importance of this side of things, when the going gets tough and things are going wrong its that togetherness that often gets you through. Pat Ryan came across to me as a charismatic guy who could instil this kind of atmosphere in the camp. not sure if BOC can. Also Pats tactics seemed more spot on to me.

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 501 - 23/07/2026 10:02:57    2686698

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