Five major talking points from Limerick senior hurlers' season

LEADER Sport takes a look at some of the main talking points from Limerick's shock defeat to Dublin in the All-Ireland senior hurling championship on Saturday.

1. Limerick chasing game for long stages

DESPITE Limerick leading at times during the first and second half, it felt like Limerick were chasing Dublin during the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final.‘Energy’ is a word John Kiely constantly uses when he speaks to the media about his side's performance and the Shannonsiders struggled to get their usual energy levels on Saturday.Dublin defender Chris Crummey received a red card from referee Liam Gordon for a high challenge on Gearoid Hegarty in the first half.

“Whatever happened after the sending off, there was a response from Dublin that we didn’t have, or give. Once they got their teeth into the contest they gave themselves a great chance,” said John Kiely.

2. Limerick have enjoyed huge levels of success

JOHN Kiely's side have enjoyed unprecedeneted levels of success. Limerick have won five All-Ireland SHC titles and six Munster championships during his tenure as Limerick senior hurling manager. Saturday's defeat was just Kiely's third defeat in Croke Park as Limerick boss. The 2024 Munster champions suffered defeats to Kilkenny in 2019 and Cork last year in the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals.

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3. Young guns have stepped up this year

ADAM English impressed in the middle third during the Munster SHC. English became established in midfield this year and the Doon clubman's pace and scoring power has brought a new dynamic to the Limerick midfield. English's college mate Aidan O'Connor grabbed his opportunity in the last two games hitting 1-4 from play.

Last year's Young Hurler of the Year nominee Cathal O'Neill got himself back on the pitch after struggling with a hamstring injury earlier in the year. Shane O'Brien impressed throughout the Munster SHC and UL Fitzgibbon Cup captain Colin Coughlan featured in all of Limerick's Allianz League games.

4. Reflecting on Limerick's season

LIMERICK registered two victories against Waterford and Cork during the round-robin series. Meanwhile, they earned a hard-fought draw with Tipperary and suffered a defeat to Clare in their other round robin games in the Munster SHC . Limerick's last two games in the championship saw them lose out to Cork and Dublin. John Kiely's side won four games, drew two games and lost six games between league and championship in 2025.

5. Caroline Currid's impact on Limerick

THE current Limerick senior hurling team are yet to win an All-Ireland without sports psychologist Caroline Currid being involved in the backroom team. Currid wasn't involved in 2019, 2024 and 2025 and in those three years Limerick didn't manage to win an All-Ireland SHC title. However, in the other years, Currid was involved in the backroom team as the sports psychologist with the Shannonsiders.