By 2018, Galway were celebrating their fifth title from the previous year as Kilkenny’s victory over them in 2015’s final marked the end of a glorious run of success for Brian Cody’s side.
Tipperary had won their second title of the decade in 2016, but there was a sense this was now Galway’s time to push on and dominate the landscape.
With Joe Canning leading the way, the defensive steel of Daithi Burke and Gearoid McInerney, drive from David Burke at midfield and the scoring power of Joseph Cooney, Conor Cooney and Conor Whelan, Micheal Donoghue’s side were tipped for back-to-back titles.
However, Limerick were building steadily under John Kiely with a young crop and Na Piarsaigh, the king of All-Ireland clubs.
Following thrilling wins over Kilkenny and Cork, they arrived for All-Ireland final day with a different outlook.
Just like Galway in 1980, the Shannonsiders had their own long wait to contend with as 45 years has passed since their previous title.
There was heartache along the way: losing the ‘five-minute final’ against Offaly in 1994 as goals from Johnny Dooley and Pat O’Connor in the space of 60 seconds contributed to a six-point defeat having led by five with as many minutes to go; again in ’96 against 14-man Wexford and out-classed by Kilkenny in 2007.
Limerick put all of that behind them, but naturally, it couldn’t be straightforward as after Shane Dowling netted their third goal in the 68th minute to open an eight-point gap, Galway hit back with goals from Whelan and Canning.
It couldn’t happen again, could it?
With the clock deep in the red and one point the gap, Canning’s long-range free from his own half for an equaliser dropped short. Limerick survived on a day when Cian Lynch, Kyle Hayes, Gearoid Hegarty, Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane fully arrived, led by nerves of steel skipper Declan Hannon.
The monkey was now off their back.
