There’s nothing sweeter.
Limerick’s under-21 hurlers were the bright spark that kept on shining, throughout a disappointing year for the Treaty county.
The county’s senior team disappointed in the league, and their Championship was no better when they lost to Clare in the Munster semi-final, and then bowed out against Kilkenny in the qualifiers.
Next year will be different for the Shannonsiders, though, and it wasn’t just Saturday’s All-Ireland under-21 final demolition of Kilkenny that told us that, it was their whole campaign.
John Kiely expected big things of his Limerick seniors this year, on the back of the county’s under-21 All-Ireland triumph in 2015, as he integrated some of these men into the set-up.
Limerick have historically struggled to convert under-21 glory, to senior success, but what they have to do now, is blood a whole host of Saturday’s All-Ireland winners in next year’s League campaign.
They mightn’t have been ready in 2015, but they are ready now.
Seven of Saturday’s starting team were key cogs in the 2015 triumph, in Cian and Ronan Lynch, Colin Ryan, Tom Morrissey, Barry Nash, Sean Finn and Peter Casey.
These are seven class hurlers, who have the skill, the physicality, the pace, the appetite to make that breakthrough.
What’s more, though, is there are an abundance of other stars on this team, who will be chomping at the bit to be involved next year.
Aaron Gillane was devastating all year, and his man-of-the-match award on Saturday was the culmination of one of the finest individual under-21 campaigns we’ve seen in a long time.
Robbie Hanley was ferocious in midfield, whille Thomas Grimes displayed promise at half back.
These fellas came through the under-21 grade the hard way, beating Tipperary, Clare, Cork, Galway, and now Kilkenny.
Here’s to hoping we’ll see them shine at the highest stage for their county seniors, they’re damn well able to.
What’s a huge credit to Limerick, is the droves of supporters that always support their underage teams. The scenes at full-time were joyous, as flocks of supporters took to the Semple Stadium pitch to congratulate their warriors.
They all stayed on for the captain’s speech, and ensured their youngsters got the reception they deserved.
When it was all said and done, the lads went into the dressing room and delivered a truly rousing rendition of the famous Wolfe Tones song, Seán South.
Celebration time in Limerick dressing room – All Ireland U21 hurling champions #GAA #LLSport pic.twitter.com/A4A2swynnq
— Jerome O'Connell (@JeromeSport) September 9, 2017
