Limerick v Kilkenny played out a second All-Ireland senior hurling final in a row and we’ve gone through each player’s performance.
Limerick
Nickie Quaid
Quaid’s 62nd championship game and a fifth All-Ireland title comes at the end of it. Could do little about the goals. (7.5/10)
Mike Casey
Brilliant display from the Na Piarsaigh man who became more and more of a force as the game progressed. (8/10)
Dan Morrissey
Quietly excellent once more. Never seems to looked flustered. (7.5/10)
Barry Nash
There had been much talk of an injury to Nash in the lead-up to the game but there were no signs of it here. Was driven out over the sideline early on, then done for steps, but then won a lot of ball and used it very well. (7.5/10)
Diarmaid Byrnes
Tom Phelan certainly caused plenty of issues for Byrnes early doors but the wing-back was the most decisive player in the second half. Finished with eight points, and his sole effort from play was a beauty from distance. (8/10)
William O’Donoghue
Has stepped into centre-back seamlessly since injury robbed Limerick of Declan Hannon’s presence. Cool on the ball, combative in the tackle, and a real leader. (7.5/10)
Kyle Hayes
Started a little sluggishly but soon began to drive at the Kilkenny team. Popped a nice score and had his fingerprints on several other chances. (7.5/10)
Darragh O’Donovan
Came into the final in the Hurler of the Year conversation and leaves still in the mix for it. Played some nice ball inside, hit a point, and worked hard. (7/10)
Cian Lynch (c)
Involved in 12 scoring opportunities of the 42 created and it was his move from midfield to centre-forward that effectively turned the game. Given his woes with injury over the past two seasons, it was great to see the green wizard back to his best. (9/10)
Gearoid Hegarty
Hegarty had hit 3-14 from open play in previous finals and took time to get going here, but fired over two points and got in some big tackles. (7/10)
David Reidy
Reidy’s switch to midfield early in the game aided his performance and he wound up with 0-2 from play. (7/10)
Tom Morrissey
Certianly one of Morrissey’s quieter games in a Limerick jersey. Did his bit but not what we expect. (6/10)
Aaron Gillane
Came into the game with 14-243 from 35 championship games and had a fabulous tussle with Huw Lawlor. Two from play, three frees converted, and won some nice ball also. (7.5/10)
Seamus Flanagan
Flanagan has had some huge days but didn’t quite fire today. (6/10)
Peter Casey
Took over the game in the latter stages by hitting 0-5 from play from the 44th minute onwards. (8.5/10)
Bench
Cathal O’Neill, Graeme Mulcahy, Conor Boylan, Aaron Costello and Barry Murphy came in and made positive impacts, especially O’Neill with 0-2. (7/10)
