Substitute O’Neill hails impact of the Limerick ‘bomb squad’ in securing title

LIMERICK starlet Cathal O'Neill made another impact in their All-Ireland win with a vital two points as John Kiely's men landed the county's 12th ever All-Ireland title.
The Crecora-Manister youngster played a similar role in last year's decider and continues to improve year on year since joining the Limerick panel in 2021. He described Sunday's win against Kilkenny as a special day.
“At times, we looked in a bit of trouble but we found a way. That's kind of been the story of the year. Happy to get on the other side of it. We had a four or five point cushion when I came on.
“It was nice that we were driving forward and that chances were being created. I was just lucky enough to get on the end of one or two passes and just delighted to get on.”
O'Neill has long been flagged as a future senior star for the Limerick senior side after a sensational underage career and his successful stint with the U20 setup.
However, he has had to bide his time with the likes of David Reidy, Gearóid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Conor Boylan and Tom Morrissey all fighting for positions in the starting half forward line.
“It's difficult,” O'Neill admitted. “There is competition for every place. There are young lads coming in every year and some of the other lads have been there since 2016, 2017 and 2018.
“That competition is only healthy. It's only going to make you a better player every day you go onto the training pitch or into the gym and on match day it comes out.”
O'Neill described the on-field celebrations following Limerick's nine-point victory as 'surreal' and that training in the lead up to Sunday's All-Ireland final as incredibly intense.
“Everyone's at their fittest come this time of the year. Everybody wants to be on the panel. That's no different to any other day but it's extra special to get on a matchday panel.
“Training matches, they all ramp up. That brings out the best in you for an All-Ireland final. That's the plan anyway and that's what happened on Sunday.
“When you're coming on with 55/60 minutes gone, it's a really important part of the game. It's quarter four and that's when the game is won and lost.
“John has confidence in the players coming in and our 'bomb squad' did the job on Sunday as well. Graeme (Mulcahy), Conor (Boylan), Costy (Aaron Costello) and Barry Murphy as well. We all drove on and I think that we were all very important.”