LISTEN – 2017 Hurling year in review with Matt O’Callaghan

Limerick’s National League campaign began with a disappointing opening down at Innovate Wexford Park. Davy Fitzgerald’s charges certainly got the rub of the green with regard to some refereeing decisions while referee Colm Lyons is unlikely to be on any Limerick fans’ Christmas card list.

Wexford’s week two win over Galway all but sealed their promotion to 1A hurling, thus rendering the remaining fixtures nothing more than a series of challenge games.

Kyle Hayes of Limerick in action against David McInerney, Clare.

Wins over Kerry, Offaly and Laois were followed up by a three point defeat to a Galway side that would go on to win an All Ireland. John Kiely’s men accounted for Cork in the league 1/4 final before going on to suffer a second defeat at the hands of the tribesmen – this time by ten points – in the semi final.

Limerick’s Chanpionship route saw Munster defeat at the hands of Clare when John Kiely’s side never really got into top gear. The team did respond to run Kilkenny close in the qualifiers but bowed out at Nowlan Park on a 0-20 to -017 scoreline.

A year that began with league disappointment ended with a performance against Kilkenny that did a lot to restore pride and give Limerick GAA supporters genuine and realistic hope for the future.

There is no doubt that the team of the year from a Limerick point of view was undoubtedly the U21 hurlers with Pat Donnelly’s side beating Tipperary, Clare, Cork, Galway and Kilkenny en route to a richly deserved All Ireland title. Limerick GAA supporters will be hoping that the talent in that U21 side can be nurtured and fine tuned within the senior set up and there is no reason to think it can’t be.

Limerick U21s parade before the All Ireland Final

All that plus a look back at some of the highlights from the club game during the 2017 season. Click on the link below to listen to Matt O’Callaghan’s review of 2017 with Sporting Limerick.