Limerick join the true greats of senior inter-county hurling as they claim the four-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles with a comeback victory over Kilkenny at Croke Park.Just Cork, in the 1940s, and Kilkenny, from 2006-09, have managed it before.
How long before we can talk of doing the historic five in a row?For now though, let's see who the stars were on a wet and windy afternoon in Dublin. LIMERICK Nickie Quaid - 6 Dealt with any high ball ball that came his way and could do very little about the two goals that flashed by him. Mike Casey - 6 Stronger in the second half as Limerick began to really put their mark on the game. Dan Morrissey - 6 Made a brilliant pick up on a loose ball on 47 minutes as Kilkenny went in search of a third goal.
Was part of a full back line that was having to deal with less and less as the game wore on. Barry Nash - 6 He was slightly unlucky to be pinged for overcarrying after showing fantastic strength to ride challenges as he attempted to retrieve his hurl off the turf.Contributed a point after a well worked Limerick move on 44 minutes. Diarmaid Byrnes - 8 His point on seven minutes had Limerick ahead for the first time in the game.
He was booked in the 16th minute for a high hit on Mikey Butler, but continued to land the long range frees. His best score, on a busy afternoon when he contributed eight points, was one from his own half-back line as he pushed the gap out to three with 15 minutes to play.At the other end, got in a critical hook on Tom Phelan as he raced towards goal just after half time. Will O'Donoghue - 6 Set the tone with a firm challenge on Tom Phelan on six minutes but pushed it too far, being booked for late hit on Adrian Mullen a few minutes later.