Shane Dowling: Limerick strength in depth disheartening for rivals

Former Limerick hurler Shane Dowling believes that the Treaty County's ability to flex their strength in depth against Waterford on Saturday sent out an ominous warning to the rest of the contenders in this year’s All-Ireland Championship.

John Kiely’s side already made history by going back-to-back for the first time in the county’s history in 2021, and they are warm favourites to complete a triple crown after seeing off Division 1 champions Waterford in the Munster Championship.

Although only three points separated the sides at full time after the Déise hit two late goals, the win came without Kyle Hayes, Peter Casey and Seamus Flanagan while current Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch lasted just nine minutes before pulling up with a hamstring injury.

"I think if they had won the game the way they won at the weekend with the four players, people would say we could be in for a hell of a game here in a couple of weeks’ time or whenever if they do happen to meet again," Dowling told the RTÉ GAA podcast.

"The fact that they were missing the numbers of players they were and still won was obviously very promising.

"The one thing I would say, and it just comes down to John and Paul Kinnerk and the work that they do on the training field, it obviously doesn’t matter what players really take to the pitch because they’re all doing the same thing.

"I know they all have their different skill levels or whatever but Cian was doing a role and they bring on Cathal O’Neill and he does the same role.

"Conor Boylan was in there from Na Piarsaigh. Okay he didn’t score, but he did exactly what that particular position, player, was to do. He interrupted, he got tackles, he won a couple of frees.

"It just doesn’t seem to matter who they have.

"Obviously