How our pundits rated the Limerick senior hurlers' season

Seoirse Bulfin, Mike McMahon, Paul Shaughnessy, Leo O'Connor, and Paudie O'Brien shared their views on the Limerick senior hurlers' season

SEOIRSE BULFIN (FORMER WESTMEATH MANAGER)

Will it be tough for Limerick to bounce back?
This particular group have shown fantastic resilience over the last number of years and while they will be bitterly disappointed with last Saturday's result, I'd like to think they're still more than capable of coming back into contention next year. They're still in the top few teams in the country capable of winning an All Ireland, they know how to win them and on that basis I do see them bouncing back and going again in 2026.

What did you make of Limerick’s season?
It was, by their impeccably high standards an up and down type of year. The league didn't seem to flow as it normally does for them, but it looked like they were back to themselves towards the end of the Munster Championship. It's important to note that had only a small break or two gone their way in the Munster Final then you'd be asking questions about how they would do in the upcoming semi-final. They are the fine margins of elite sport.

Who was Limerick’s player of the season?
Nickie Quaid, purely on the grounds that he had the hunger and drive to return to hurl competitively four months after rupturing his ACL. A true testament to the character of this man to manage to do this. I think this "achievement" for want of another word cannot be overlooked in the grand scheme of things.

Will we see more new faces in 2026?
I think there'll definitely be some new faces introduced in 2026. They may not be new but I think Aidan O'Connor did really well in the last few games before being substituted. I'd like to see him kick on next year. Also, Patrick O'Donovan seemed to go well early in the year so he's another guy you'd like to see come through. Finally, our own club man Seán Casey, first year on the panel. Fantastic hurler and brilliant physique and attitude, I'd hope he'd start pushing for places, albeit he's still young.

Do you see any retirements this year?
I think anyone that decides to retire owes us absolutely nothing after the last eight years. I'm sure one or two might go, but it's imperative that not too many go just. We need experience around to bed in new additions. They've been around at the top for so long, it's amazing to think a lot of the players are only in their late 20's, or 30. Seánie Finn is still only 29, so I'd be hoping the majority of the panel will stay.

MIKE MCMAHON (NEWCASTLE SENIOR HURLER)

Will it be tough for Limerick to bounce back?
I don't think it will be too difficult for the players to bounce back, they’ve set such high standards for themselves over the last number of years that they’ll be disappointed that they didn’t reach them this year in certain games. There’s a bit of a narrative out there at the moment from certain media outlets and pundits that Limericks “legs have gone” and “the cracks are starting to appear. I honestly think that these are the opinions and answers from people that haven’t a clue what’s going on.

What did you make of Limerick’s season?
It was a disappointing season I suppose from a silverware point of view, it’s been six years in-a-row that they’ve won the Munster Championship but then again I suppose we’ve been spoiled as Limerick supporters in that period. I’m not sure there were too many championship debutants either which would be a disappointing factor.

Who was Limerick’s player of the season?
I’m going to say Kyle Hayes, a few other players showed flashes of brilliance during the year like Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane and Adam English at times, Dan Morrissey was his usual solid self at the back, Sean Finn showed signs of a return to form, but I suppose over the course of the championship Hayes was consistent at centre back and unmarkable on occasions.

Will we see more new faces in 2026?
I’d like to think we will but I’m not so sure they’re out there. There were a few lads called in over the winter that were let go again and the year of club hurling might bring them on further but I’d be fairly confident that John Kiely and his management know what they’re at and have called in who they feel are the best players and the players that suit the style of play.

Do you see any retirements this year?
I don’t think we will. That’s down to individuals obviously and what they feel they have to offer. One thing I will say is supporters are fickle and will go whatever way the wind is blowing, the same ones that will praise you one minute will be the same ones to give you a kick given the chance. Supporters will say certain fellas are finished and feel they should be discarded but maybe those players aren’t able to do the things they once were but could adapt and still be of use. My worry would be that we’ll lose players due to lads wanting a break or to go travelling

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PAUL SHAUGHNESSY (LEADER REPORTER)

Will it be tough for Limerick to bounce back?
At the moment, it feels like it will be difficult for Limerick to bounce back but when the 2026 season comes around, I believe this Limerick team will be ready to go again.
The age of profile of this team is still young and there is enough quality at John Kiely's disposal for Limerick to compete for All-Ireland honours once again.

What did you make of Limerick’s season?
The league was very disappointing for Limerick, it felt like they struggled to get any momentum. There were stages during the Munster championship that Limerick looked back to their best.
Opportunities were there for Limerick to win the Munster final in extra time and I think that will be a big regret. The performance against Dublin felt flat and Limerick struggled to get to their usual levels.

Who was Limerick’s player of the season?
For me, Aaron Gillane was Limerick's player of the season. Gillane rarely gets the credit he deserves, the Patrickswell clubman is one of the best forwards in the game.
Gillane scored 2-41 throughout the championship and he was a constant threat on the edge of the square.

Will we see more new faces in 2026?
We didn't actually see many new faces this year. Players who served their apprenticeships over the last number of years got their chance. Adam English, Aidan O'Connor and Shane O'Brien all impressed.
I would expect Colin Coughlan and Paddy O'Donovan to see more gametime next year. Limerick U20 players Hugh Flanagan, Sean Casey and Darragh Langan will look to push on in 2026.

Do you see any retirements this year?
At this stage, it's difficult to predict who might step away from the Limerick squad. Most players will now aim to mentally switch off and shift their attention toward the upcoming club championship.
After the club season concludes, they’ll have the space to reflect on their inter-county year before deciding whether they’re ready to commit for another campaign.

LEO O'CONNOR (OFFALY U20 HURLING MANAGER)

Will it be tough for Limerick to bounce back?
I think time is going to be the best healer, over the next couple of months there'll be new talent coming through.
There's players that have been part of the panel in the past that have got to be looked at and brought back into the panel. I think the most important thing from a Limerick point of view is timing their run. As we know, there are a lot of miles on the clock.

What did you make of Limerick’s season?

The stats of it tell a different story, Limerick only won four matches out of twelve this year. I think after they beat Cork in the round-robin series, there was huge momentum there. Then the following week, after losing to Clare I think Limerick lost the small bit of momentum that they had. The Munster final, I think took an awful lot out of Limerick, that was an energy zapper to be quite honest about it

Who was Limerick’s player of the season?
There's a few players, I think Nickie Quaid in fairness to him making it back from the injury. Mr Reliable Dan Morriseey at three, Kyle Hayes at six was immense all year. One of the brightest sparks this year for me was Adam English who really pushed on. Adam English was the major plus this year.

Will we see more new faces in 2026?
I think there's a few players that have to start really pushing on. Colin Coughlan and Paddy O'Donovan need to push on.
There's players on the bench as well that need to step up next year. Jimmy Quilty is a player that needs to be looked at and try get him back onto the panel.

Do you see any retirements this year?

I think it's way too early right now for players to be thinking of that. Every player in that squad have been outstanding ambassadors for Limerick hurling. It'll depend on how players go at club level. I don't think Limerick can afford to lose any players, I just think it's a case of Limerick timing their run to perfection.

PAUDIE O'BRIEN (FORMER LIMERICK HURLER)

Will it be tough for Limerick to bounce back?

Not at all, this group of players have had huge success and you don’t get that level of success without being really ambitious and competitive, that doesn’t leave a team especially after a tough loss so I would expect Limerick to bounce back even stronger.

What did you make of Limerick’s season?

Obviously after losing an All-Ireland quarter final it would be easy to be critical but the reality is Limerick were a puck of one ball away from being seven in-a-row Munster champions. When you think about that in your head it’s hard to fathom such incredible hunger and consistency and I see no shame in losing a penalty shootout. The Dublin match will be disappointing but it was just a mixture of a Limerick under performing and an incredible performance from Dublin. It’s easy to reflect on a full season with the one final game but Limerick had a very good Munster championship but levels of performance against Clare and Dublin will disappoint them.

Who was Limerick’s player of the season?

Again it’s easy to have judgement faded by one game here (Dublin) but Limerick had some really strong performers throughout Munster championship - Cian Lynch and Kyle Hayes were outstanding throughout Munster. Shane O'Brien and Aidan O'Connor performed very well considering age and experience but Adam English was the standout performer throughout.

Will we see more new faces in 2026?

I would expect so regardless of results and success new faces would always be a goal of any inter-county management team.