Ghost Point, O’Neill Absence, Brighter Days | Talking Points as Limerick suffer first U20 All-Ireland Final defeat

Limerick fell to their first defeat in an U20 All-Ireland final on Sunday in Thurles.

Limerick were beaten by a solitary point, 0-19 to 0-18 by Kilkenny in the U20 All-Ireland Hurling Final in Semple Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The sides were level on fourteen occasions overall, before Kilkenny pulled ahead with their first two-point lead in the final ten minutes.

From here, Limerick couldn’t find parity, with the Cats holding on to avenge the defeat suffered against the same side in Thurles in 2017.

It wasn’t the greatest of contests with nerves and the weather both playing their part. Nonetheless, it was an absorbing encounter that evoked a number of talking points.

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Limerick fail to fire

Were it not for the last minute exploits of Cathal O’Neill (more on him to come), Limerick’s season could have been in jeopardy from day one as the Crecora Manister man hit 1-1 in a matter of seconds to swing their opener against Clare.

Wins followed against Cork, Waterford and Tipperary as Limerick began to build up a bit of momentum, claiming a first Munster title in five years. But that was halted by a dogged and determined Kilkenny side on Sunday afternoon.

The Cats never allowed Limerick to get into their rhythm and was reflected in their ability to keep the dangerous front line under wraps. Adam English and Shane O’Brien combined for 1-17 from play in the Munster semi-final and final but found their possessions limited in Thurles, hitting 0-3 in difficult circumstances.

And the Clare game aside, Limerick found their scoring way down yesterday in comparison to the rest of their season as they hit over just 0-18 compared to 1-25 (Cork and Tipperary) and 0-27 against Waterford.

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Bigger things lay ahead

Losing an All-Ireland final is never easy, especially for a team like Limerick with yesterday’s clash the last in an underage green jersey for many.

But while it will take some time to move on from the defeat to Kilkenny, many of this squad will be expected to graduate to the senior team in the coming seasons with a number already a part of John Kiely’s plans.

Colin Coughlan, who featured in last year’s senior All-Ireland final will be overage for next year with Adam English and Paddy O’Donovan looking like the keys to the 2023 U20s with both seeing time for the seniors this year. Jimmy Quilty is another who has spent time with Kiely’s men while Cathal O’Neill missed out on the majority of the campaign after his appearance against Cork in round one of the Munster championship.

Outside of this, there are a number of players that seem destined for the next level. Chris Thomas and Fergal O’Connor have proven themselves as top level full back talent while Aidan O’Connor is the obvious choice to progress into Kiely’s team.

The comeback is often greater than the setback and for many, the comeback will be in a senior Limerick jersey.

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That ‘Point’

The opening exchanges in Thurles were quick with the sides finding themselves level on nine separate occasions as Kilkenny took a slender one point lead into the half.

One of those levelling scores came from the stick of Paddy Langton as the Kilkenny wing back launched a long range effort in on Conor Hanley Clarke’s goal. The Kilmallock man, who has been a pillar of strength in goal throughout the competition, including a string of exquisite saves on Sunday, waited patiently under the dropping ball, before controlling the sliotar in front of the crossbar.

However, the score was given to tie the sides up at 0-6 apiece. Replays and photos of the incident concur that the sliotar didn’t cross the bar as Limerick fell to a single point defeat.

Yes, the ‘score’ occurred midway through the first half, with ample time for Limerick to recover and find a winner.

But in a game of fine margins, it is a hard one to take for the Limerick contingent.

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Ineligibilty rule

Continuing in the role he has occupied since the second round clash with Cork in the Munster championship, Cathal O’Neill was a source of assistance for his teammates with hurleys and water whenever required.

But for the best player at his age to be resigned to such duties on All-Ireland final day due to a nonsensical ruling makes the defeat all the more difficult to take.

O’Neill, who we mentioned earlier for his game winning drive(s) against Clare in round one, featured for the Limerick senior side ten days removed from the victory over the Banner. That ruled him ineligible for the remainder of the U20 year as he missed out on the chance to avenge defeat to the Cats in 2019 in the All-Ireland minor semi-final.

Having the star forward on the team would have been surely worth at least the two-point swing that would have been enough to claim the title, such is his undeniable ability.

But on a personal level, it must have been very difficult for the youngster to see his peers on the field in Thurles, while being sidelined simply because of his talent.

O’Neill has soldiered with these players from an early age in the Limerick Academy and won a Munster minor title with the same side just three years ago, yet he wasn’t allowed to help them win an All-Ireland title, being punished for his ability.

And while it will be too little too late for Limerick and O’Neill, here’s hoping that the issue can be resolved ahead of next year’s championship to avoid a similar scenario.