Limerick hurlers bring Muhammad Ali's words to life in Croke Park where they both won
The greatest hurling team and best heavyweight boxer of all time both graced Croke Park on the same date 54 years apart
“If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it - then I can achieve it,” famously said Muhammad Ali, who fought and won in Croke Park exactly 54 years ago last Sunday.
The Limerick hurlers made the words of the best heavyweight boxer of all time come true over half-a-century later during the All-Ireland final. Just like Ali, Limerick will go down as the greatest of all time - six All-Irelands, seven Munster finals and four League titles in nine years speak for themselves.
John Kiely has brought Limerick teams to 20 finals and just once did they not leave with a cup and that was due to penalties. Remarkable.
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The All-Ireland hurling senior final seemed to fly by. Limerick players floated across the hallowed turf like butterflies and stung Galway like belligerent bees. The talk before the final was that Galway would have the youth and legs while Limerick have eight starters in their 30s and miles upon miles on the clock. Not to mention the heat in a sweltering Croke Park.
However, the final was dominated by 15 whirling dervishes wearing green jerseys. They worked like dogs - huskies, sheepdogs and terriers - chasing and biting at Galway players’ heels. An incredible 1-17 of Limerick’s total of 1-29 was garnered from turnovers. They were relentless and Galway had no answer.
They jabbed away with point after point before Cathal O’Neill delivered the knockout blow - an arrow-like goal early in the second half.
They were men on a mission and the mission of bringing Liam MacCarthy home was accomplished in style.
Marty Morrissey described captain Cian Lynch as a “wizard” and “magician”. Adam English was like a ballet dancer as he somehow kept his balance when taking the sliothar high on his hurley, twirling and tapping the ball over the black spot.
Kyle Hayes pinned his ears back and left all in his wake. Aaron Gillane was Aaron Gillane. Gearóid Hegarty was imperious under the high ball. Diarmaid Byrnes put the f*****g ball over the bar four times from long-range.
Peter Casey ended up flat on his backside in the middle of Croke Park but still popped off a pass to Aidan O’Connor for a point. Kilmallock’s Raging Bull didn’t get much ball but still made his immense presence felt.
The whole team is made up of prizefighters who were all welcomed on stage in Pery Square at Monday’s homecoming. Limerick’s senior stars and management were joined at the special event in the city by the All-Ireland winning minor hurlers. They were on the ropes nearing the final whistle of their final but their resilience and class saw them through. The last time Limerick did the senior and minor hurling double was 86 years ago.
John Kiely repeated on stage what he said about fans “doing your job” in the semi-final, saying they certainly did - to loud cheers, and so too did this great Limerick team.