Limerick's "statement" victory over Waterford was built on a work-rate – and sublime stickwork to match it – that has been the cornerstone of so much recent All-Ireland success, according to Jackie Tyrrell.
The Treaty County’s drive for a record-extending seventh successive title kicked into gear at Walsh Park, as they saw off a resilient Waterford by six points.
Now unbeaten against the Déise in the championship since June 2011, Limerick join Cork at the top of the standings on three points, with the two facing-off next time out.
Speaking on The Sunday Game, Tyrrell, who also highlighted the incredible skill rate within the team with a variety of clips from the round-robin encounter, was very impressed by attitude of the men in green.
With Kyle Hayes anchoring the centre-back position, Adam English now entrusted as Will O’Donoghue’s midfield partner and Shane O’Brien excelling at full-forward, the former Kilkenny man says that while there have been changes in personnel and positions since they last landed Liam MacCarthy in 2023, the work-rate demanded by manager John Kiely has not.
"It was a statement performance from Limerick," he said. "A lot of their old values were shining bright, married with new guys that are putting their hands up.
Sublime skills - @MrJackieTee waxes lyrical on the skills on display from Limerick at Walsh Park
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"They have a different spine that is looking very strong and rigid. They have a really good structure. John Kiely is very happy and he is right to be."
Fellow analyst and former Antrim hurler Neil McManus added that Waterford could take a lot from their own showing – just six days on from a high-octane win over Clare – and in truth they did very little wrong, they simply met a hungry Limerick side hell-bent on registering their first win of the round-robin campaign.
'They pressed Waterford all over the field…They didn't let them breathe - @Neilmcmanus88 on an eye-catching display from Limerick
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"Limerick were on it from minute one," he said. "They were flawless in so many aspects of the game.
"We know that they are going to have a huge amount of shooting opportunities, that’s what they always generate, but I was even more impressed by how they really pressed Waterford all over the field.
"They put them under pressure at all times and didn’t let them breathe."
