Limerick fans celebrate with goalkeeper David McCarthy. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Limerick hurling fans needed this. Their minors and seniors crashed out early in the 2015 championship but the U21s have climbed to the top of the pile in blistering fashion.
Before the game, manager John Kiely spoke about how this grade is a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
He insisted that the bigger goal is to claim senior glory down the line and Shannonside fans can look ahead to the future with renewed optimism.
They will remember, however, that Limerick failed to capitalise on their three-in-a-row in this grade from 2000-2002. The hope is that lessons have been learned from that.
2. Major setback for Wexford
Wexford boss JJ Doyle. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Despite winning three successive Leinster U21 crowns, Wexford have failed to land the biggest prize of all.
There was a major gulf in class between the Slaneysiders and Limerick, in terms of not only sheer hurling ability, but in the physical stakes too.
Limerick looked like the better physical specimens and that’s testament to the strength and conditioning work of Ross Corbett, as referenced by Kiely before and after the final.
Wexford boss JJ Doyle and captain Eoin Conroy had both insisted that it was time for the team to deliver but they were blitzed in Thurles.
3. Senior stars of the future emerge for Limerick
Advertisement
Limerick skipper Diarmuid Byrnes lifts the Cross of Cashel Cup. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Senior manager TJ Ryan was surely an interested onlooker in Thurles this evening.
Cian Lynch has already made his mark on the big stage and another senior panellist, Tom Morrissey, was impressive at Semple Stadium.
But Limerick have other players capable of emerging as stars in the highest grade.
Richie English at full-back is real leader and the half-back line of captain Diarmuid Byrnes, Barry O’Connell and Gearóid Hegarty was a formidable unit.
Pat Ryan was another to impress with an all-action display around the middle of the field and senior supremo Ryan will now look to cherry pick the best of the bunch from the successful U21 crop.
4. Can Wexford regroup?
Cian Lynch and Limerick had the measure of Wexford. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
There was a huge Wexford crowd in Thurles but many of them were heading for the exits long before the final whistle.
This was another demoralising defeat for the Model County and their long All-Ireland famine continues.
It’s 1996 since that memorable Liam MacCarthy Cup success but the lack of underage silverware is more worrying.
Wexford haven’t won an All-Ireland U21 crown since 1965 and have now lost ten finals since then.
You have to go all the way back to 1968 for the county’s last All-Ireland minor hurling success and Wexford haven’t won a Leinster minor title since 1985 either.
5. The advantage rule
Referee Johnny Ryan. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
There were two major flashpoints in Thurles, with both sides feeling aggrieved.
As early as the eleventh minute, Limerick thought they’d scored the opening goal of the game when Ronan Lynch found the net on the follow-up after Oliver O’Leary had saved well from David Dempsey.
Instead, referee Johnny Ryan called play back for a 20m free and three minutes before half-time, there was a similar episode when Kevin Foley goaled for Wexford.
Again, Ryan disallowed the goal and awarded a free to the Slaneysiders.
Referees are currently working with the five-second advantage rule and on each occasion, Ryan appeared to whistle up slightly after that period of time had elapsed, following initial fouls on the players who struck the original shots.
Following the strict letter of the law, Ryan can argue that he was technically correct but goals would have been the major advantage for the attacking teams. These two episodes showed that the implementation of the advantage can still be a grey area.
6. The performance of Barry Nash
Barry Nash was on fire for Limerick. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Man of the match on the back of a scintillating display that yielded five points from play, Nash was superb in Thurles.
The South Liberties player will have enjoyed this one as he was the player at the centre of the HawkEye controversy that left Limerick’s minors up in arms two years ago.
The old adage that the wheel comes full circle certainly applied to Limerick and Nash as the bitter memories of minor disappointment were washed away with a memorable U21 campaign.
Nobody can dispute that Limerick didn’t earn this one the hard way.
They took out Tipperary and Clare in Munster, a Galway team containing senior stars Conor Whelan, Cathal Mannion and Jason Flynn in the All-Ireland semi-final, and a fancied Wexford outfit to claim the Cross of Cashel Cup.
6 talking points as Limerick crush Wexford to claim All-Ireland U21 hurling glory
1. Has a long-term hurling force emerged?
Limerick hurling fans needed this. Their minors and seniors crashed out early in the 2015 championship but the U21s have climbed to the top of the pile in blistering fashion.
Before the game, manager John Kiely spoke about how this grade is a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
He insisted that the bigger goal is to claim senior glory down the line and Shannonside fans can look ahead to the future with renewed optimism.
They will remember, however, that Limerick failed to capitalise on their three-in-a-row in this grade from 2000-2002. The hope is that lessons have been learned from that.
2. Major setback for Wexford
Despite winning three successive Leinster U21 crowns, Wexford have failed to land the biggest prize of all.
There was a major gulf in class between the Slaneysiders and Limerick, in terms of not only sheer hurling ability, but in the physical stakes too.
Limerick looked like the better physical specimens and that’s testament to the strength and conditioning work of Ross Corbett, as referenced by Kiely before and after the final.
Wexford boss JJ Doyle and captain Eoin Conroy had both insisted that it was time for the team to deliver but they were blitzed in Thurles.
3. Senior stars of the future emerge for Limerick
Senior manager TJ Ryan was surely an interested onlooker in Thurles this evening.
Cian Lynch has already made his mark on the big stage and another senior panellist, Tom Morrissey, was impressive at Semple Stadium.
But Limerick have other players capable of emerging as stars in the highest grade.
Richie English at full-back is real leader and the half-back line of captain Diarmuid Byrnes, Barry O’Connell and Gearóid Hegarty was a formidable unit.
Pat Ryan was another to impress with an all-action display around the middle of the field and senior supremo Ryan will now look to cherry pick the best of the bunch from the successful U21 crop.
4. Can Wexford regroup?
There was a huge Wexford crowd in Thurles but many of them were heading for the exits long before the final whistle.
This was another demoralising defeat for the Model County and their long All-Ireland famine continues.
It’s 1996 since that memorable Liam MacCarthy Cup success but the lack of underage silverware is more worrying.
Wexford haven’t won an All-Ireland U21 crown since 1965 and have now lost ten finals since then.
You have to go all the way back to 1968 for the county’s last All-Ireland minor hurling success and Wexford haven’t won a Leinster minor title since 1985 either.
5. The advantage rule
There were two major flashpoints in Thurles, with both sides feeling aggrieved.
As early as the eleventh minute, Limerick thought they’d scored the opening goal of the game when Ronan Lynch found the net on the follow-up after Oliver O’Leary had saved well from David Dempsey.
Instead, referee Johnny Ryan called play back for a 20m free and three minutes before half-time, there was a similar episode when Kevin Foley goaled for Wexford.
Again, Ryan disallowed the goal and awarded a free to the Slaneysiders.
Referees are currently working with the five-second advantage rule and on each occasion, Ryan appeared to whistle up slightly after that period of time had elapsed, following initial fouls on the players who struck the original shots.
Following the strict letter of the law, Ryan can argue that he was technically correct but goals would have been the major advantage for the attacking teams. These two episodes showed that the implementation of the advantage can still be a grey area.
6. The performance of Barry Nash
Man of the match on the back of a scintillating display that yielded five points from play, Nash was superb in Thurles.
The South Liberties player will have enjoyed this one as he was the player at the centre of the HawkEye controversy that left Limerick’s minors up in arms two years ago.
The old adage that the wheel comes full circle certainly applied to Limerick and Nash as the bitter memories of minor disappointment were washed away with a memorable U21 campaign.
Nobody can dispute that Limerick didn’t earn this one the hard way.
They took out Tipperary and Clare in Munster, a Galway team containing senior stars Conor Whelan, Cathal Mannion and Jason Flynn in the All-Ireland semi-final, and a fancied Wexford outfit to claim the Cross of Cashel Cup.
One of Waterford’s biggest hurling clubs is facing a relegation battle
History in Semple Stadium as Wicklow clinch their very first U21 hurling title
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
All-Ireland U21HC Analysis barry nash GAA Hurling Limerick Limerick Wexford Wexford