Composure the key to Limerick victory says cornerstone Nash

“IT HASN'T really sunk in,” were the first words out of the mouth of Limerick defender Barry Nash following their clinical nine-point win over Kilkenny.

Nash played a starring role in Limerick's win that yielded a fourth All-Ireland title in a row. The South Liberties club man admitted that it will be a long time before this group of players will ever really be able to look back at what they have already achieved.

“It's when we look back at our careers when we are finished up that we are up there as one of the greatest teams to ever play the teams like that Kilkenny team in the 2000's.

“We just think of the next game. Every game, you want to win. You want to improve. Like Ciano (Lynch) said in his speech, it's not just a group, it's a family.

“I know that sounds like a cliche but that's exactly what it is. We have phenomenal men and women in that dressing room. It's an incredible feeling.

“The intensity was through the roof. We knew it would be that way coming into the game. Kilkenny are a phenomenal team. We have had some tremendous battles with them over the years. It was a fantastic game. Kilkenny were ahead and we came back. It was just that type of game.”

Limerick were three points down at the end of the first half but Limerick scored an incredible 21 points in the second half to turn the contest in their favour.

That scoring spree really took hold after Kilkenny's second goal through Paddy Deegan. Nash said that the dressing room was full of cool heads at the break.

“We are a very composed team,” said Nash. “We didn't get into much of a flow in the first half. We know what we can do. I know what those guys on the field and on the bench can do.

“You could see it in the second half. There were scores going over from everywhere. Once we get into that flow and that rhythm, it takes some team to stop us."

Limerick scored 10 points to Kilkenny's one after Deegan's goal and the second half display was arguably the greatest display of hurling from this team. Nash said that it was time 'for fellas to step up' in the second half. Step up they did. In spades.