As time ran out for Limerick in their attempt to upset the odds, full-forward Kyle Hayes threw his arms up in exasperation as one of his team-mates hit a wide.
It was Brian Ryan’s fourth wide. The fourth wide of an exceptional performance. It was his 15th and final attempt on goal on an afternoon when he scored 11 points and still ended up on the losing side.
It would be impossible to criticise him for shooting. He was showing bravery and leadership, the bravery and leadership he had been showing all afternoon.
All but six of his side’s points came from the South Liberties teenager as he fought unsuccessfully against Tipperary in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor hurling final.
After being on the wrong end of a 17-point drubbing in Munster final, Ryan and his team-mates deserve credit for running Tipperary close in a competitive final – eventually going down 1-21 to 0-17 to an excellent Premier side.
Ryan, as he did all summer, dragged his team-mates with him, but it could not suffice against a Tipperary team who perfectly exhibited the strength of the collective.
From goalkeeper Ciarán Barrett to full-back Michael Whelan, who moved out the field to take up the unenviable task of marking Ryan. Team captain Brian McGrath switched to the edge of the square and did an excellent job wrapping up Limerick’s other dangerman, Kyle Hayes – his opposing captain.
McGrath also knocked over a long-range free and a 65, as well as putting in a potentially goal-saving hook on Conor Boylan in the dying moments of the game.
His was a captain’s performance, but ahead of him there was brilliance in the shape of midfielder Ger Browne, whose late point was just desserts for the tireless engine room stoker.
Up front Colin English gave an exhibition of shooting on the run – nailing four points of the highest quality, all while making dangerous runs across goal as he eluded his marker.
Picked up by the excellent Finn Hourigan (above), Tipperary’s Jake Morris had to work harder to elude his marker. However he did so often enough to hit a game-high 1-4 from play.
Lyndon Fairborother contributed his usual accuracy from frees, and tacked on a couple from play as the Premier – last year’s All-Ireland final losers – showed a steel that bodes well for the future of Tipperary hurling.
Past and future of @TipperaryGAA as Minors celebrate and 1991 winners are celebrated. We await the present #KKvTIPP pic.twitter.com/9DrQdK9OAL
— Mikey Stafford (@me_stafford) September 4, 2016
But it was hard not to feel for Limerick and their fearless talisman Ryan. He constantly showed for the ball, took the hits of a Tipperary defence well aware of his quality, looked for team-mates and looked for the posts.
His second point from play, towards the end of the first half, was unlikely to be topped for sheer greatness in the senior final. The ball came to him towards the right sideline in midfield, he instantly controlled it and drilled it over the bar with his second touch. A phenomenal score.
Afterwards he clenched his fists and let out a primal roar to encourage his team-mates and the small pockets of Limerick fans, so outnumbered by their rivals.
Late in the game he was still showing, taking a massive hit from Whelan and playing a smart pass to substitute Paul O’Brien who shot wide after a late hook.
Ryan’s contribution once more stymied by a Tipperary team with too much collective brilliance to be undone by a wonderful young hurler and competitor.
Minor players are embarking on their adult lives, many are about to finish school and start college, they have hopes and dreams and ambitions, but for this one moment in time, the Electric Ireland Minor Championships is the major thing in their lives. Follow the conversation at #GAAThisIsMajor.
