Resounding praise of All-Ireland heroes Limerick

THERE were overwhelming scenes of celebration following Limerick’s runaway win over Galway at Croke Park. Among a plethora of stars was towering half-back Diarmaid Byrnes, the highest-scoring defender in championship history. “Out of all days you want to go out and express yourself, you want it to be All-Ireland Final day,” declared the four-time All-Star. “And, we did that in buckets today.” “We’ve certainly been on a long road. It’s one we’ve all enjoyed. Comparing it to 2018 or whatever? They are all equally special; sharing it with those lads. It’s an absolute privilege.” Byrnes struck four beautiful points in what was his 120th competitive outing with the Shannonsiders on Sunday. Said fellow reliable David Reidy: “It’s been three years since we were here. I know it’s a short time, but it felt like a very long time. It just means so such to the 37 players and everyone involved. We’re an incredibly united bunch of people. A lot of us have soldiered together a long time.” The ageless Reidy made his inter-county senior debut back in 2013. In his Irish Independent column, Waterford legend John Mullane conceded: “I never thought I would say this, that Kilkenny’s great team of the noughties have been eclipsed, but for me, Limerick are probably the greatest team we’ve ever seen.” Over in The Irish Times, Tipperary great Nicky English stated: “Limerick have proved themselves a generational team, one that doesn’t come around very often – if at all. I believe Limerick are the best team I have ever seen and that is with due respect to Kilkenny.” While John Kiely is the glue-like bond that holds imperious Limerick together, right alongside the six-time All-Ireland winning manager are others like selector Alan Cunningham, statistician-supremo Seán O’Donnell, psychologist Caroline Currid and, perhaps above all, coach Paul Kinnerk who triumphant captain Cian Lynch rightly labelled “a genius” in his weekend victory speech. The post Resounding praise of All-Ireland heroes Limerick appeared first on Limerick Post.