Ahead of the All-Ireland hurling final between Limerick and Galway we got the views of some current players. The jury have delivered their verdicts and it's 3-1 in favour of Galway.
John Conlon- Clare Hurler
Are Limerick right to shut out the hype?
It’s very hard to shut out the hype and I believe the players should enjoy the experience and the build-up. An All Ireland final is such a special and unique occasion and is there to be enjoyed. As a young lad playing in the garden or down at the local field, your dream is to experience playing in an All-Ireland Final. However maybe asking for the hype to be reduced has worked as I live on the border in Clonlara, just outside Limerick, and the build up has been very low key. I don’t think the players will be worried about it and will be purely focused on their game. However come Sunday the anticipation levels and nerves will be at an all time high going up the M7.
What should Limerick do about Johnny Glynn?
It’s a hard to know. Mike Casey has played at full-back all year since taking over from Seamus Hickey for the Cork match in the Munster Championship. Mike is a very aggressive and skilful full back and we all saw the super job he did in both club finals this year. However Johnny Glynn is a different type of player. He is a tall and physical target man for Galway and would have a significant height and strength advantage on Mike. It will be interesting to see what Limerick do on Sunday as it could be the winning and losing of the game in my opinion.
Which would you rather have, Galway's starting XV or Limerick's squad?
Going into the final there is a lot of talk about Limerick’s squad but both sets of teams have exceptional talent and fantastic squads. Galway have a fantastic squad with Micheál Donoghue being able to call on the likes of Jason Flynn and Niall Burke. Those two players came on in last year’s All-Ireland final and pulled them over the line. We all saw what Shane Dowling and co did against Cork after coming on. With 20 minutes to go on Sunday it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in the battle of the benches.
Ahead of the final, who is your hurler of the year?
Padraig Mannion for me. He has been outstanding at wing-back for Galway throughout the championship. He has consistently performed at a high level for Galway from their first match against Offaly in the Leinster Championship all the way up to the All-Ireland Final.
Will it be a free-scoring shootout or tactical arm-wrestle?
It’s going to be a tactical arm-wrestle. Both teams play very similar with both centre-backs sitting very deep in front of the full-back line and a defensive midfielder picking up the centre-forward and both half-forward lines dropping into the midfield to protect the defensive structure. The first 50 minutes of the game will be tough and physical and I think it will open up in the last 20 minutes when players are tired, work rate has dropped, the benches are emptied and the mentally strong come to the fore.
Who will win and why?
Looking back at the league game between these two sides, it was a very physical encounter. Galway raced into a big lead like they have in most matches this year. If Limerick can match Galway’s intensity and drive in the first half, I give them every chance of winning the game when things begin to open up in the second half. However I believe Galway’s experience, ruthlessness and never-say-die attitude will get them over the line in the end.
Matt O’Hanlon- Wexford Hurler
Are Limerick right to shut out the hype?
Yes, I think they are. The way John Kiely and his team have managed the lead up to the final is commendable. Immediately after the semi-final win both he and the players called for space to focus on their preparation for the final. As a result, Limerick have been very quiet in the lead-up and very few players have been released for interviews. Little things like management taking the ticket allocation out of the players hands all helps to take players out of the limelight and allow them to focus on getting themselves ready for the final. This all points to a team fully focused on the task at hand.
What should Limerick do about Johnny Glynn?
The answer to this question could swing the result of the final. Johnny Glynn is named to start half-forward. If he stays there Limerick will be happy as their wing backs, Diarmuid Byrnes and Dan Morrisey, both have the size and hurling to compete with the Ardrahan man. Also, if Glynn wins high ball in the half-forward line, I don’t think he can cause as much damage compared to if he is on the square. You can be sure he will end up full-forward at some stage during the game. If that happens, I’m sure Limerick will have a plan. I'd expect Mike Casey to pick him up and Declan Hannon to drop in front for protection, with either Cian Lynch or Darragh O'Donovan in midfield to cover Canning centre-forward.
Which would you rather have, Galway's starting XV or Limerick's squad?
You always want to start the game with the team that has the best starting 15 and for me that’s Galway. They have big leaders in every line and the experience of playing and winning an All-Ireland final last year will help their performance. However, Limerick’s squad will have their part to play as well and their subs have made a bigger impact off the bench than Galway’s this year, but Galway will be well aware of this and should have a plan in place to counteract it.
Ahead of the final, who is your hurler of the year?
Padraig Mannion. His ability to read the game, intercept passes and drive out of defence is exceptional, and his distribution has been top class. When Galway have come under pressure this season, he has been the man that has stood up most for me.
Will it be a free-scoring shootout or tactical arm-wrestle?
A bit of both. I think the first half will be a bit of a tactical arm-wrestle. Both teams like to drop their half-forward lines deep to leave space for their full-forward line. The battle in the middle third will be huge, whoever gets on top here will win the match. I think things will open up a bit more in the second half, as players tire and subs are brought in I can see it turning into more of a shoot out as both teams go for the win.
Who will win and why?
It’s really difficult to call, arguments can be made for both teams. But for me, I think Galway will win. I think the experience of getting over the line last year has stood to them this year, they have not panicked when they have been put under savage pressure from both Kilkenny and Clare. If they get ahead, I can’t see them coughing up a big lead like they have done against Clare and Kilkenny. Limerick will give them all they want of it, but I think they might fall a little bit short.
Eoin Murphy - Kilkenny Hurler
Are Limerick right to shut out the hype?
Sunday evening will answer that to see if it had a positive or a negative effect. In 2007 it seemed to affect the team's performance with media duties, but I think this team has a lot more steel to them that can cope with the pressure.
What should Limerick do about Johnny Glynn?
Teams have tried and failed to cope with Johnny Glynn. His hurling has come leaps and bounds the last 12 months and if you throw in his physical presence, it is a tall order for the Limerick defence. The Treaty men's half-back line are very able ball winners in the air, so it will be interesting to see how this pans out. The match-ups with Johnny Glynn and Conor Whelan are vital for Limerick if they are to win.
Which would you rather have, Galway's starting XV or Limerick's squad?
Very hard one to pick. Both teams have used their panel freely in games so both panels are more than capable to perform when asked to come on. Galway's use of Joe Cooney and Limerick's introduction of Shane Dowling could win the game for either team.
Ahead of the final, who is your hurler of the year?
Padraig Mannion has been phenomenal all year. In the three games against us he was by far the best player on the field. Was a massive leader for Galway in Thurles against Clare in the replay when asked to play at 6.
Will it be a free-scoring shootout or tactical arm-wrestle?
I think Sunday will a free scoring shoot out. Both sets of forwards are more than capable of putting up big scores.
Who will win and why?
If it’s not a draw I’m going with Galway by one or two points. Even though some have questioned their ability to finish games off, they’ve never really looked like losing a game apart the missed goal chance against Clare. Every other game they’ve cruised along comfortably. All-Ireland's are about winning and Sunday I think they’ll do that.
Noel McGrath - Tipperary Hurler
Are Limerick right to shut out the hype?
Players just want to keep things as normal as possible, so trying to dampen the hype it is a good idea. However getting to an All-Ireland final is massive for any county and so I think players should enjoy the build-up and the atmosphere as no one knows if or when the opportunity will come around again. At the end of the day, it's what you dream of as a hurler so it's important to enjoy it as best as possible without getting distracted from the main job on hand which is the game
What should Limerick do about Johnny Glynn?
His biggest strength is his ability to catch clean ball and trying to stop that will be their main aim. It's easier in theory than in practice as he is very strong and well able to use his size and strength to get in position under the ball
Which would you rather have, Galway's starting XV or Limerick's squad?
I don't think you can choose as Galway also have depth in their squad as was seen in last years final with Niall Burke and Jason Flynn coming in to make a difference
Ahead of the final, who is your hurler of the year?
Peter Duggan from Clare has been the standout player for me this season.
Free-scoring shootout or tactical arm-wrestle?
I'm expecting a free-scoring game between these two teams.
Who will win and why?
Limerick because I feel Galway's replay with Clare may have taken a lot from their bodies and the two-week gap may be too short to fully recover.
Follow the All-Ireland senior hurling final via our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the News Now App, watch television coverage on The Sunday Game Live, RTÉ 2, from 2.15pm or listen to exclusive national radio commentary on Sunday Sport, RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm on RTÉ2.
