A ruthless performance saw Limerick return to the top of hurling’s pecking order as they claimed the county’s 13th All-Ireland title with a comprehensive 1-29 to 1-18 victory over Galway.
John Kiely’s men last held the title in 2023 for what was their fifth in sixth years – beginning with a 2018 victory over Galway – and made up for two disappointing years to complete a clean sweep of honours in 2026.
It capped a fine season for a Limerick side that had question marks hanging over them following last year’s quarter-final defeat by 14-man Dublin, but with renewed vigour in 2026, they produced the goods to see themselves home.
While they had edged home in the Munster final and again in the semi-final against Clare, this was a throwback performance from the Treaty men who tore into the game, suffocated Galway and gradually powered clear.
Galway just couldn’t reproduce the form of their Leinster title win and last four victory over Cork for what turned into a day to forget as they lost Ronan Glennon to a red card in the second period.
However, the writing was long since on the wall as a goal from Cathal O’Neill eight minutes into the second period had saw Limerick turn their dominance into a commanding lead.
With some questions to answer coming into the final, they emphatically answered them across the board for what must be one of their finest wins.
Treaty on top in the opening period
Gearoid Hegarty was trice denied by Darach Fahy in the opening half [Getty Images]
Questions were answered early on as Jason Rabbitte drew a foul from Mike Casey that was punished by Aaron Niland which was a settler for both and this was repeated on another two occasions by the 11th minute which saw Casey booked.
That was a problem for Limerick as Rabbitte was proving a handful, but at the other end, questions of Aaron Gillane’s form were also answered.
The Patrickswell man notched their first point before twice putting Gearoid Hegarty through on goal, only for Darach Fahy to save on both occasions.
The first led to a 65 which Diarmaid Byrnes converted for the first of his three first-half scores, while Gillane would also notch three from play in the opening period.
Limerick were finding holes and winning some big turnovers as Galway’s tendency to take the ball into contact was causing themselves problems, as Limerick hassled and harried.
Galway’s deep-lying style left them outnumbered at the other end with Niland finally scoring their first from play on 18 minutes and he would account for but one of their eight first half points – the other by Rabbitte who availed of an advantage when fouled by Finn.
Two scores from play in the opening period highlighted their issues while Limerick were in a better flow as Adam English and Aidan O’Connor chipped in with two apiece, while Peter Casey, Cathal O’Neill and Cian Lynch also contributed as the Treaty led 0-13 to 0-8 at the break.
O’Neill goal helps Limerick turn the screw
O’Neill found the net eight minutes into the second period [Getty Images]
While Niland pointed a free early in the second half, Limerick – with wind advantage – set about turning the screw with four quick points as Hayes and Barry Nash got on the board.
While Tom Monaghan responded, the goal Limerick has threatened came and Gillane would get the assist, finding Cathal O’Neill to beat Fahy with a low shot into the corner.
It left Galway with an enormous mountain to climb and while they did score two of the next three points, they really needed a spark and had their chance on 50 minutes as Rabbitte passed into Darragh Neary who had a sight of goal, but shot wide at the near post.
Still, the Tribesmen kept pushing and two scores give their supporters hope with the gap down to eight, but Limerick were not prepared to allow them gain further hope as O’Neill and Peter Casey responded.
Galway’s day would go from bad to worse when Ronan Glennon was sent off for a high challenge on Casey, eliminating any lingering hope they had of turning it around.
While Neary and substitute Conor Cooney found scores, Limerick were now enjoying themselves with Hayes, Gillane, O’Connor, Byrnes and O’Neill extending their own tallies for the day, while Lynch slung over in added time, raising a fist in celebration.
Substitute David Reidy got in on the act and while Conor Cooney buried as last-gasp Galway penalty, it was mere consolation.
It was a vintage Limerick performance, a reminder of what they have done and what they can continue to do, producing their brilliant best to round off 2026 when they swept the boards.
Teams and scorers
Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Barry Nash (0-1); Diarmaid Byrnes (0-4, 2f, 1×65), William O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes (0-2); Adam English (0-2), Cian Lynch (0-2); Gearoid Hegarty, Aidan O’Connor (0-5, 3f), Cathal O’Neill (1-4); Aaron Gillane (0-4), Shane O’Brien, Peter Casey (0-4).
Subs: Tom Morrisey for S O’Brien (49), Dan Morrissey for M Casey (53), Darragh O’Donovan for A English (63), David Reidy (0-1) for A O’Connor, Colin Coughlan for S Finn (70).
Galway: Darach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Ronan Glennon; Tiernan Killeen, Gavin Lee; Tom (0-2) Monaghan, Cathal Mannion (0-1f), Darragh Neary (0-1); Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte (0-1), Aaron Niland (0-10, 8f, 1×65).
Subs: Conor Cooney (1-2, 1-0 pen, 0-1f) for G Lee (48), Cian Daniels for T Monaghan (55), Colm Molloy (0-1) for A Niland (60), John Fleming for T Killeenn (60), Sean Linnane for C Mannion (70+1)
Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)
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