Limerick and Galway meet in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship Final at Croke Park on Sunday in a repeat of the 2018 decider that started an era of domination for John Kiely and the Treatymen.
Before 2018, Limerick had won the Liam MacCarthy Cup on seven occasions dating back to their maiden crown in 1897. Now, they are the dominant force in this era and have added a four-in-a-row sweep of the All Ireland Hurling Championship from 2020-2023.
Their failure to win in the last two years has shocked many but Limerick are within sight of regaining their mantle and have lost just one of the six All Ireland finals they have contested this century.
Galway are five-time All-Ireland Hurling winners, though with just their 2017 success since they went back-to-back in 1987-88.
Micheal Donoghue's second stint as Galway boss is threatening a sensational title, but Kiely's Limerick won't lack the stomach for a fight.
Limerick v Galway Tips Summary
Best Bet – Limerick -4 @ 10/11
Alternative Bet – Highest Scoring Half 2nd Half @ 20/21
Alternative Bet – Aaron Gillane – 1st Limerick Goalscorer @ 4/1
Limerick v Galway Prediction
Best Bet: Limerick -4 @ 10/11
Limerick's quest for five All-Ireland titles in a row failed in 2024 and they have gone without Liam MacCarthy since but the Shannonsiders are ready to reclaim top spot now.
Boss Kiely undertook some difficult introspective work as he revealed his panel met 63 times to assess what went wrong in 2025.
They are battle-hardened and showed that in their comeback wins over Cork in the Munster final and then Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Limerick's astonishing record in finals under Kiely shows 18 wins in 20 attempts and they should eventually prove too strong here.
The modus operandi from Galway this season has been to close down space and pack their defence. It was a puzzle Cork couldn't work out in the second half of their semi-final as the Rebels' cause sank with just five points beyond half-time.
Galway's youthful exuberance is led by the likes of Aaron Niland, Darragh Neary, Jason Rabbitte, Cillian Travers and Cian Daniels but they are facing a Limerick side stacked with experience.
The Shannonsiders have a core in their panel that includes 30-somethings Nickie Quaid, Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Diarmaid Byrnes, Darragh O'Donovan, Tom Morrissey, David Reidy, Cian Lynch and Mike Casey.
Ultimately Limerick's big-day experience and superb core may prove too good for Galway's rising stars.
Alternative Bet: Highest Scoring Half 2nd Half @ 20/21
The Tribesmen have tended to keep men back, with just a target man up front, to try to disrupt the opposition in their run to this final.
It flummoxed Cork in the last four and left the Rebels without a cause, while Dublin had also played into Galway's hands in the Leinster final as they slung aimless high balls in on top of a competent defence.
Limerick's dominance in the last decade means they are used to figuring out mass defences. It may take time, however, and a relatively cagey opening 35 minutes could ensue.
Limerick scored only 11 first-half points in the semi-final against Clare and it may take time to figure out how to break Galway's shackles.
Alternative Bet: Aaron Gillane – 1st Limerick Goalscorer @ 4/1
Aaron Gillane has been part of all five Limerick All-Ireland wins since 2018. He's a four-time All-Star and was Hurler of the Year in 2023.
The Patrickswell inside forward hasn't been at his blistering best in recent times. He has been subbed off in his last two games but there was never a doubt Kiely would keep faith in Gillane for this mission.
On his game, Gillane is nearly impossible to mark and his finishing is lethal. He could be the man to raise Limerick's first green flag in this All-Ireland final.
Key Match Stats
- Limerick are bidding for their sixth All-Ireland Hurling title since 2018
- Galway have lost 20 of the 25 All-Ireland finals they have played in
- Limerick have won the last four Championship meetings with Galway
- Galway have won their last three games by a combined 33 points
- Limerick came from behind to beat Cork in the Munster final and Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final
- Kiely has led Limerick to victory in 18 of the 20 finals he has overseen as senior county manager
View details of how to watch Limerick v Galway on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
