The trains have left the station (for Limerick and Kilkenny respectively) and all that is left is to analyse the Treaty County's fourth straight All-Ireland title.
Central to their success has been their powerful half-back line, which absorbed the loss of Declan Hannon and kept on motoring.
The starting half-back line are among seven Limerick players named on The Sunday Game Team of the Year, with wing-back Kyle Hayes their selection as Hurler of the Year.
There are five Kilkenny men, two from Clare and one Galway hurler in the 15.
Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny)
Steadily building a back catalogue of saves that will sit up there with the best that ever played the game - his stunning reaction stop against Clare in particular one for the ages. Marry that with his pinpoint restarts and the Kilkenny shotstopper is the prototype modern goalkeeper.
Mikey Butler (Kilkenny)
Last year's Young Hurler of the Year did not suffer a difficult second season, even if it did ultimately end in disappointment again. A tremendously sticky man-marker, he is a great foil to Huw Lawlor inside him. Has also added goalscoring to his repertoire.
Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny)
Following in a fine line of dominant Kilkenny full-backs, the Ballyhale man is a wonderful successor to the likes of Noel Hickey and JJ Delaney. For the second year running, Lawlor kept decent tabs on Aaron Gillane in the All-Ireland final. No mean feat.
Dan Morrissey (Limerick)
Without his compadre Sean Finn in a much-shuffled defensive unit, the full-back was unruffled. A physical presence on the edge of the square, he works seamlessly with his goalkeeper and corner-backs.
Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick)
What a final the big wing-back from Patrickswell had. The reigning Hurler of the Year nailed seven frees and added another score from play. Without Declan Hannon inside him he carried more responsibility in the giant half-back line, but offered as much threat going forward as he did solidity at the back.
Will O'Donoghue (Limerick)
So long a mainstay in the Limerick midfield, he took a step back to number six for the two biggest games of the year in the absence of Declan Hannon and did not look out of place in arguably the most specialist, influential position on the field.
Kyle Hayes (Limerick)
Making it a clean sweep of the half-back positions for the four-in-a-row All-Ireland champions is the big man from Kildimo-Pallaskenry. The second half of the final displayed all that is brilliant about the former half-forward. Devastatingly dominant under the high ball, destructive in the tackle and almost untouchable in possession. His consistency all season has seen him named Hurler of the Year by the panel of Sunday Game analysts.
Darragh O'Donovan (Limerick)
It's not terribly glamorous the role he plays, but it is beyond doubt how valuable his team-mates consider the midfielder. He is rapacious around the break, as well as clever and economical in possession. He chipped in with a point in the final as the Treaty took over the middle third in the second half.
David Fitzgerald (Clare)
The first of two Claremen in the Team of the Year and a very well-deserved inclusion. The driving force behind Brian Lohan's side's run to the All-Ireland semi-final. A strong and imposing figure, whose barrelling runs down the field are a joy to behold.
Tom Morrissey (Limerick)
Didn't have his greatest game in the final, but the wing-forward was a picture of consistency up to that point, chipping in with an average of almost three points per game. Which is what made it so jarring to see him miss an easy chance against Kilkenny. Still, in Limerick's ultra competitive middle-third ranks, he is likely one of the first names on John Kiely's teamsheet.
TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
He may be in the twilight of his career but, as is to be expected from one of the greatest to ever pick up a hurl, the Ballyhale icon is raging against the dying of the light. Near flawless from deadballs, he is still so influential in open play, even if he is more provider than finisher these days.
Shane O’Donnell (Clare)
The second coming of hurling's fifth Beatle has been as unexpected as it has been enjoyable. No longer the hatching inside forward but rather a grafting wing-forward, however the hat-trick hero of 2013 still has an eye for goal, as he displayed against Kilkenny in the semi-final.
Conor Whelan (Galway)
Galway are not quite at Joe Canning levels of dependency when it comes to their current talisman, but it is fair to say he carries his fair share of the scoring burden on his broad shoulders. One of the best at winning his own ball, quick across the ground and a lethal shooter.
Aaron Gillane (Limerick)
He won't give a fiddler's, but his five-point haul (two from play) in the final was not quite the season send-off his incredible form might have deserved. But one Huw Lawlor had a large part to play in that. All season, the Patrickswell man has been the target man. High ball, low ball, crossfield or straight down on top of him, he can win it all and is more often than not unerringly accurate.
Eoin Cody (Kilkenny)
After King Henry and TJ, Cody is the next Ballyhale man in line to assume the mantle of Kilkenny marquee forward, and he is very well equipped for the task. Has a real eye for goal, as he showed in the first half against Kilkenny, but in fine tradition of Kilkenny forwards he relishes the battle for possession.
The Sunday Game Team of the Year has been revealed. #rtegaa #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/L1AgT2mVDy
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 23, 2023
ALL-IRELAND FINAL MAN OF THE MATCH
Peter Casey (Limerick)
Not for the first time in an All-Ireland final, the Na Piarsaigh sharp-shooter landed five points in one half. Mad to say it about a team that have been so dominant for so long, but Limerick did miss his class during his lengthy injury lay-off.
Limerick forward Peter Casey scoops the All-Ireland final man of the match award. #rtegaa #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/yYijTWUhMh
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 23, 2023
