THE Limerick players may not get an opportunity to parade the Liam MacCarthy Cup in front of their adoring public between now and the next time ribbons carrying the colours of the competing counties are attached to it and it’s displayed on the Hogan Stand podium on All-Ireland final day.
Adherence to public health guidelines is likely to keep the coveted cup under lock and key for the first few months of the new year and, by then, the work in defending all three titles that they amassed over the last few weeks will have begun again. Once that starts all thoughts of 2020 will quickly fade.
The guard officially changed on the Payson Town Council last week, with a shift in the balance of power on the council.
The changes ushered in by the election promised a possible new era of cooperation and courtesy, on a council that has been beset by sometimes bitter disagreements.
The meeting marked the first appearance by new council members Scott Nossek and Jolynn Schinstock â who have replaced outgoing counselors Steve Smith and Vice Mayor Janell Sterner.
Changes in the council manifested themselves quickly in the vote for the position of vice mayor.
A masked Mayor Tom Morrissey nominated councilor Suzy Tubbs-Avakian for the post.
The future is green
25.5 years. That was the average age of the starting XV that won the All-Ireland title for Limerick on Sunday.
That isn’t much lower than the 26.2 of last year’s champions Tipperary but the difference is how many of Limerick’s youngsters are also their key men.
Kyle Hayes is 22 and Seamus Flanagan is 23. Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey, Sean Finn and Aaron Gillane are all 24.
Hurler of the Year elect Gearóid Hegarty, Diarmaid Byrnes and William O’Donoghue are 26.
Mike Casey and Richie English are both 25 and would have started if not due to injury.
Player ratings: Perfect 10 for Gearoid Hegarty as Nickie Quaid cements All-Star
Christy O Connor and Kieran Shannon rate the players involved in the All-Ireland final
Waterford’s Conor Gleeson with Gearoid Hegarty of Limerick: Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Sun, 13 Dec, 2020 - 19:19
Christy O Connor and Kieran Shannon LIMERICK (rated by Christy O Connor) Nickie Quaid: Outstanding. Made a very smart and important save from Neil Montgomery in the 13th minute when spreading himself and made six fine saves over the 70 minutes Puckouts were accurate efficient as usual; Limerick won 19 of their 30 puckouts. Cemented his All-Star. 9 Sean Finn: Gave the ball away cheaply for Jack Fagan’s early goal chance but it was the only glitch. Adhesive all afternoon. Very creative in possession especially when Limerick turned over the ball in their defence. Dessie Hutchinson did win a lot of possession but was restricted to just one point from play. 8
From Limerick football days to claiming a sixth All-Ireland title as hurling coach
Paul Kinnerk’s remarkable winning run as a hurling coach contined in Limerick yesterday. Fintan O Toole By Fintan O Toole Monday 14 Dec 2020, 5:15 PM Dec 14th 2020, 5:15 PM 11,808 Views 8 Comments
Coach Paul Kinnerk celebrates Limerick s success with manager John Kiely.
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
A DECADE AGO, Paul Kinnerk had his first taste of All-Ireland hurling final day as a coach.
He watched on as the Clare minor team he had helped prepare produced a power-packed display, yet they fell just short of Kilkenny by two points in that 2010 showdown.