Hogan Stand

Limerick's Gearoid Hegarty celebrates with the Liam MacCarthy Cup after the win over Galway ¬©INPHO/Bryan Keane Limerick star Gearoid Hegarty described the feeling of regaining the Liam MacCarthy Cup after the disappoint of the last two season as “unbelievably satisfying”. Hegarty, the now 2/7 favourite to win ‘Hurler of the Year’, enjoyed a sixth All-Ireland SHC success in his county’s colours this afternoon as the Treaty men brushed Galway aside with a 1-29 to 1-18 victory at Croke Park.

Galway manager Micheál Donoghue during his side's All-Ireland SHC final defeat to Limerick at Croke Park ©INPHO/Bryan Keane Galway boss Micheál Donoghue says Limerick deserve huge credit for the consistency of their performance against his side in today’s All-Ireland SHC final. The Treaty men triumphed to an impressive 1-29 to 1-18 victory at Croke Park to land their first Liam MacCarthy Cup in two years and sixth since the beginning of the John Kiely era in the county.

Limerick manager John Kiely celebrates with the Liam MacCarthy Cup after his team's win over Galway ¬©INPHO/Ryan Byrne Limerick manager John Kiely hailed his players for a performance that was “full of conviction” as they brushed Galway aside to claim the All-Ireland senior hurling championship title.

Limerick captain Cian Lynch lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup ¬©INPHO/Ryan Byrne Limerick found another gear after half-time to see off Galway by 1-29 to 1-18 at Croke Park and collect their sixth All-Ireland senior hurling championship crown in eight years. A total of 1-23 of the Treaty men’s tally came from open play at headquarters where they led by five at half-time before blitzing their opponents after the change of ends.

Limerick's Cathal O'Neill celebrates after scoring a goal against Galway ¬©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon Limerick's sizzling start to the second-half of this afternoon’s All-Ireland SHC final against Galway saw them turning a five-point lead into a 12-point advantage within the first 10 minutes of the restart. After Aaron Niland cut it to 0-13 to 0-9 for Galway two minutes into the second period, the Munster champions hit four points unanswered and then erased a Tom Monaghan point with a Peter Casey single.

Galway goalkeeper Darach Fahy pulled off a remarkable save to deny Gearoid Hegarty an early goal in this afternoon’s All-Ireland SHC final. After Aaron Niland (free) and Aaron Gillane traded early points at Croke Park, Hegarty got the opportunity to net Limerick in front in the fourth minute but his effort was denied by the superb reflexes of Fahy. Watch below:

Galway manager Micheál Donoghue during the warm up ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne There has been one change to Galway’s squad for today’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship final against Limerick at Croke Park. With Brian Concannon believed to have picked up a serious injury this week, the Killimordaly forward misses out on the matchday squad named by manager Michéal Donoghue. Portumna’s Declan McLaughlin comes to replace Concannon at number 26 for the Leinster champions.

Croke Park ©INPHO/James Lawlor Supporters heading to Croke Park for this afternoon's All-Ireland senior hurling championship final between Galway and Limerick can look forward to near-perfect conditions. The forecast is for a warm, dry and settled afternoon in Dublin, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures of around 22-23C at throw-in (3.30pm). Any chance of rain is minimal, while light easterly to northeasterly breezes should ensure ideal conditions for both players and spectators.

Tipperary captain Tommy Dunne raise the Liam McCarthy Cup in 2001 at Croke Park Tipperary’s 2001 All-Ireland senior hurling championship winning team will be honoured at half-time in Croke Park this afternoon. Nicky English’s side from 25 years ago are the jubilee team that will be honoured after the Galway and Limerick players go into their dressing for the interval at headquarters at around 4.10pm today.

Kerry and Abbeydorney's Michael O'Leary ¬©INPHO/Morgan Treacy Abbeydorney will face St Brendan’s Ardfert in the Kerry senior hurling championship final after both sides came through their respective semi-finals yesterday. The holders were 3-15 to 1-16 winners over Ballyduff at Austin Stack Park, where Adam Maunsell, Michael Slattery and Niall O'Mahoney netted the goals for them in the first-half.