LIMERICK may have lost another battle with Cork — but they will win the war.
The Munster final disappointment notwithstanding, John Kiely could not be happier with how the chips have fallen.
Today’s run-out at Croke Park will be especially beneficial ahead of their certain return there in a fortnight’s time.
When they play Dublin, Kiely’s men will be looking for their first win at HQ since the 2023 All-Ireland final against Kilkenny.
That day, their second-half performance was the best this team has produced.
They were behind at half-time against the Cats after playing the type of short-passing game that I have never advocated.
Why they continue to persist with such an approach, particularly in their half-back line, is something I cannot understand.
Some of their use of the ball against Cork was utterly deplorable and they need to stamp it out.
Yet over the course of his reign, Kiely and his management team have demonstrated a willingness to learn from their mistakes.
They are sure to have identified the areas for concern and I would expect them to be rectified.
In the Munster final, Cork got to 75 or 80 per cent of their capability in their performance. On the other hand, Limerick never went above 45 or 50 per cent.
A scenario where the All-Ireland final does not feature Limerick and Cork is one I find very difficult to envisage.
And there is still more scope for improvement with the Treaty, who remain the team to beat as I see it.
As Limerick have players who can destroy Dublin inside the first 20 minutes, this has the makings of a long afternoon for Niall Ó Ceallacháin and his players.
For a team to be available at odds of 1-25 to win an All-Ireland SHC quarter-final is a sad indictment of the current state of Leinster hurling.
Eighty-seven years is far too long for a county with Dublin’s resources to have gone without winning the Liam MacCarthy Cup. That wait will not be ending any time soon either.
That the Dubs are not a much more competitive outfit is something that hurts me, to a degree. Having lived there previously, I mixed with many hurling people.
Over eight years training UCD, I also became very familiar with the Dublin championship.
Dublin were very unlucky not to contest an All-Ireland final in Anthony Daly’s spell as manager.
However, they have not threatened to reach those levels since. They played some good hurling last year under Micheál Donoghue.
Indeed, they may well have upset Cork if Dónal Burke’s accuracy had not abandoned him on the day.
No stone should have been left unturned in keeping the show on the road thereafter.
Nevertheless, instead of Dublin regrouping after last season, Donoghue returned to Galway and an inexperienced manager who still had several more months of club commitments to fulfil was appointed in his place.
GALWAY VS TIPPERARY
Instead of Croker, Donoghue will be on duty this evening at the Gaelic Grounds as the Tribesmen look to finally show some signs of life.
The evidence presented by the form book suggests a Tipperary victory. But form goes out the window in a game like this.
After their desperate performance against Kilkenny in the Leinster final, the only way is up for Galway — and if any opponent can inspire them to rise up, it is Tipp.
My advice to Liam Cahill would be to tread very carefully when it comes to what his team might face on Shannonside this evening.
There are 30 or 40 years of tradition to indicate Galway are able to find something more within themselves against Tipp teams.
Last weekend’s game against Laois can be ignored because it was a non-event from a Tipp point of view.
But the reality is that they got out of Munster by producing half-performances.
Cahill’s men only played for the first half against Clare and while they were deserving winners over Waterford, the Déise could have been ten points up at half-time.
There is no doubt in my mind that Tipperary will be tested by Galway. With an All-Ireland semi-final place at stake, downing tools for a half will not do.
The decision to include Peter McGarry in the Tipp team is a bold call by Cahill.
Coming from my own part of the county, and having worked with his grandfather over 60 years ago, I’ll be thrilled if McGarry excels.
It would be wonderful for his family also. But to be put in for a first Championship start at this stage of the season is a big ask of any young player.
Apart from Cathal Mannion and Conor Whelan up front, Galway have been a massive let-down this year. For the majority of their defeat to Kilkenny last time out, what they delivered was so poor.
But that track record of performing against Tipperary on the big days cannot be ignored.
A tentative nod to the Premier is as much as I’d be prepared to commit to — I certainly would not be prepared to put my money down to back that prediction.
While a fierce rivalry exists between Tipperary and Galway, there are great friendships too.
The welcome we received when Michael Coleman was laid to rest earlier this year, just like we did following Tony Keady’s passing of 2017, was exceptional.
But friendships will be put to one side this evening and Tipperary will pay the price if they underestimate the challenge they will encounter.