Dublin 2-24 Limerick 0-28: The GAA shock of many hurling summers

Massive shock of the summer - and of many a summer - at Croke Park as 14-man Dublin took out one of the big favourites for the All-Ireland title.
This SHC quarter-final was supposed to be a handy enough bridge for Limerick into the last four.
The red card shown to Dubs skipper Chris Crummey in the 16th minute for a high challenge on Gearóid Hegarty only reinforced that view as the Treaty men had already got their noses in front.
Not so. This was an historic victory for the men in Blue, the 14/1 outsiders who are into the All-Ireland semi-finals for the first time since 2013, one that will forever be etched in the annals of the game in the capital.
Next up for the Dubs will be Cork or Kilkenny and they will fear neither after this showing - Dublin had heroes all over the field as Limerick's Munster final heartbreak was compounded at headquarters.
The huge underdogs led by three points at the break but when Adam English equalised and then Aidan O'Connor put the Treaty men ahead in the 51st minute, it seemed obvious that the toll of being down a man had caught up with them.
Not so. It was a master-stroke by Dubs boss Niall Ó Ceallacháin - the man with the midas touch having led Na Fianna to All-Ireland club glory in January - to put John Hetherton on after the interval.
The big target man produced an unbelievable goal midway through the half, rifling into the top corner to restore his side's lead from a near-impossible angle, driving his shot across Nickie Quaid into the top corner.
Then, just seconds later, Cian O'Sullivan pounced after Hetherton got a touch on in the air and the Dubs were firmly back in the driving seat.
Limerick desperately needed a lifeline and the moment arrived 10 minutes from time when English teed up Aaron Gillane in front of goal. Everyone waited to see the sliothar hit the back of the net and for Limerick to get back to within one point. Instead, it flew over the bar thanks to a magnificent point-blank save by Séan Brennan.
Even still, as the contest ticked into four minutes of added time, there were final chances for John Kiely's men with a close-range free from Diarmuid Byrnes that was blocked - and another that full-back Paddy Smyth bravely smothered.
"Physically I wouldn't say we matched them, I'd say we definitely dominated them physically," said man of the match Conor Burke, who scored five points from play in a midfield tour de force. "The lads up top, they really put their bodies on the line and it set the tone.
"Even at the very end there probably a moment that went under the radar. Obviously people were talking about Seán's save, which was amazing, but at the end Paddy Smyth jumped on a ball as a lump out of his shin.
"But they're the types of moments and that's what it means to lads and once we brought that level of aggression, physicality and work right, then the hurling just kind of flowed after."
Dublin's hunger wasn't matched by Limerick, who looked drained after their Munster final loss on penalties to Cork rather than in gunning for redemption - although Kiely later insisted that the provincial defeat hadn't lingered.
"In a word, no," he said. "We drew the Munster final in normal time and extra time, the penalties were the penalties, we just parked that.
"There are moments in time for individuals not reflective of the team performance. We took some time after Munster final, but back at it last weekend and things had been going good in training."
Dublin: Seán Brennan; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Conor McHugh; Paddy Doyle, Chris Crummey (0-1), Andrew Dunphy; Conor Burke (0-5), Brian Hayes (0-2); Rian McBride (0-2), Fergal Whitely (0-1), Cian O'Sullivan (1-1); Seán Currie (0-9, 5fs), Ronan Hayes (0-3), Diarmaid O'Dulaing.
Subs: John Hetherton (1-0) for O Dulaing ht, Darragh power for Whitely 52mins, Donal Burke for McBride 64mins, Colin Currie for Ronan Hayes 69mins, David Lucey for McHugh 75mins.
Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Mike Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Barry Nash (0-1); Adam English (0-5), William O'Donoghue; Gearóid Hegarty (0-4), Cian Lynch (0-2), Tom Morrissey (0-2); Aaron Gillane (0-9, 6fs, 1 '65), Aidan O'Connor (0-3), David Reidy.
Subs: Cathal O'Neill (0-01) for Tom Morrissey 23-24, blood, Barry Murphy for Casey h/t, O'Neill for Morrissey h/t, Declan Hannon for Nash 51, Peter Casey (0-01) for O'Donoghue 58, Shane O'Brien for O'Connor 64.
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway).

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Sunday World

an hour ago

• Sunday World

Glenn Irwin involved in practice crash

Northern Ireland rider has slipped down the championship standings as a consequence Glenn Irwin was taken to hospital for assessment Glenn Irwin's hopes of winning the British Superbike title suffered a blow yesterday after the Northern Ireland rider was ruled out of the opening race at round three following a crash at Snetterton. Irwin was high-sided from his Hager PBM Ducati machine during the final free practice session in the morning. The 35-year-old was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for assessment after initial checks at the circuit medical centre did not show any obvious damage. A statement issued by the organisers said: 'Glenn Irwin was taken to the circuit medical centre after a crash in Free Practice 3 (FP3). 'Following x-rays on his hip and right leg at the circuit medical centre where nothing was visible, he has been taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for further scans and is unfit for Qualifying. 'Further updates will follow when available.' Should Irwin be passed fit to race in today's two BSB races, he would have to start from the back of the grid. John Mowatt, PBM Ducati team coordinator, said: 'It was unfortunate. In the 10-minute FP3 session we had set a fairly quick lap on the first flyer and then we were bedding ourselves into it. Unfortunately, he's high-sided at turn 9 on the right-hand side. 'He took a bit of a heavy impact to the right-hand side of his body.' Irwin has now dropped from second in the championship to fourth after missing the first race of the weekend and is 30 points behind former champion Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha), who dominated yesterday's opener. Ray is back in BSB this year after two seasons competing in the World Superbike Championship and has picked up where he left off, winning five out of the six races held this year to underline his title credentials. The English rider set a new lap record and won by 5.380s from reigning champion Kyle Ryde (OMG Nitrous Competitions Yamaha), with Tommy Bridewell sealing his first podium of 2025 in third for Honda Racing. Ulsterman Scott Swann finished 14th on the Send My Bag/IWR Honda, while Donegal's Richard Kerr was 16th (ROKiT BMW). Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing) did not finish after coming together with Lee Jackson. The BSB Sprint race today is at 1:20pm, with the final race of the weekend at the Norfolk circuit scheduled for 4:30pm. In the Supersport opener, Dublin's Jack Kennedy won from Rhys Irwin. Also yesterday, the fifth round of the Ulster Superbike Championship was held at Kirkistown in Co Down, where Derek Sheils (Roadhouse Macau BMW) won both races from Carl Phillips (SBT Ireland Kawasaki). Graeme Irwin was a double winner in the Supersport class on the Magic Bullet Ducati, and Christian Elkin won both Supertwin races.

The 42

3 hours ago

• The 42

Jobe Bellingham scores first Dortmund goal in 4-3 win, Inter close in on Club World Cup last-16

JOBE BELLINGHAM NETTED his first Borussia Dortmund goal in a gripping 4-3 win over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup on Saturday. The English midfielder, who this month followed older brother Jude's footsteps in joining the German side, started for the first time for Dortmund. Sundowns of South Africa took a surprise early lead but Dortmund hit back strongly to triumph in sweltering conditions in Cincinnati at the TQL Stadium and move top of Group F. Lucas Ribeiro's fine solo goal put the CAF Champions League runners-up ahead, with the Brazilian charging forward from his own half before beating Gregor Kobel. Advertisement However Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams handed Dortmund their equaliser on a plate, passing the ball straight to Felix Nmecha, who stroked home. Both stoppers made good saves in an end-to-end clash before Dortmund claimed the lead through striker Serhou Guirassy. Dortmund won the ball high up the pitch and Julian Brandt crossed for the Guinea international to score with a fine leap and header, continuing his fine form this season. Bellingham, who joined earlier in June from Sunderland for 33 million euros ($37 million), netted Dortmund's third just before the break. Williams parried a cross into his path and after controlling on his chest, Bellingham drilled home. Meanwhile, Valentin Carboni struck the winning goal in stoppage time as Inter Milan came from behind to beat Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 on Saturday and knock the Japanese team out of the Club World Cup. Ryoma Watanabe got an early opening goal for Urawa Reds, who were backed by a noisy contingent of their supporters at Lumen Field in Seattle. But captain Lautaro Martinez had got Inter's equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Monterrey of Mexico in their first match at the tournament, and he repeated the trick to level matters here with 12 minutes to go. Carboni, the 20-year-old Argentine who had not made an appearance for Inter in more than two years, then appeared in the 92nd minute to give the Italians the victory. The result leaves Cristian Chivu's team in a good position to now go and qualify for the last 16, while a second defeat in as many matches means Urawa Reds are eliminated. – © AFP 2025

The Journal

3 hours ago

• The Journal

Wins for Cork and Tipperary in All-Ireland camogie championship

WITH ONE ROUND of group games still to play in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship, the knockout picture is looking much clearer after Cork, Tipperary, Waterford and Galway recorded comfortable wins this afternoon. Those four counties, along with Kilkenny, will go into the knockout stages, and barring a truly remarkable result when Clare cross the Shannon to play Tipperary next week, the Banner County will complete the sextet. In order for Clare to be overtaken by Limerick, Tipperary would have to win that game by a 60-point margin. Technically, Tipp have cause to try and run up a score in that game since they could yet take top spot in the group, albeit they would need a huge favour from Wexford as well for that to happen. The Model County crew are rooted to the bottom of Group 1, bound for a relegation play-off, where they will play either Derry or Dublin, even if they shock All-Ireland champions Cork. Tipp are certainly in strong scoring form, as they put Limerick to the sword in Cappamore, 4-26 to 0-8. Róisín Howard (1-8) and Grace O'Brien (0-4) were among the main tormentors of the Limerick backs and they opened the scoring, with Karin Blair striding forward from full-back to add a third point. Emily O'Halloran and Sophie O'Callaghan battled gamely in the Limerick defence, while Sarah Gillane made a couple of excellent saves, but the pressure was relentless, with Karen Kennedy and Grace O'Brien scoring goals in a first half 2-12 to 0-1 landslide. Denis Kelly showed the depth of his panel by bringing on Jean Kelly and Lucy Purcell in the second half and they both raised green flags of their own, with Limerick taking crumbs of consolation from Orlaith Kelliher and Stephanie Woulfe each scoring of a pair of points from play. SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh was the venue for the other game in the group as Clare attempted to turn the tables on their 2-22 to 0-10 loss to All-Ireland champions Cork when they met in the Munster championship. The Banner couldn't make that leap but they were much improved, opening the game with a superb solo run and finish from Jennifer Daly for the game's only goal in the first minute, with Caoimhe Cahill adding a point immediately afterwards. Without ever playing to their full potential, Cork settled into the contest with an Orlaith Cahalane score after five minutes. They took a three-point lead by half-time and were 0-21 to 1-9 in front by the time the long whistle sounded. Advertisement Cork had 10 scorers in all with Saoirse McCarthy (0-5, four from play) their top scorer, complemented by some excellent saves from Amy Lee at the other end of the field. All of that means that Clare need to beat Tipperary to overtake their eastern frontier neighbours and go into second spot, Wexford will contest the relegation final regardless of their result against Cork, and the O'Duffy Cup holders just have to avoid a catastrophic defeat to make sure of top spot and straight passage to the last four. In Group 2, Waterford and Galway are headed for a showdown out west next Saturday, a game that will decide pole position and the automatic semi-final berth that comes with it. With the aid of the breeze, Dublin started brightly in Walsh Park and led by 0-6 to 0-1, but that was before Waterford's twin threat of Beth Carton and Niamh Rockett came into the game. Both players found the net midway through the first half en route to scoring 1-4 and 1-6 respectively, and with Waterford leading by five at the interval, the second half was one-way traffic. Abby Flynn and Annie Fitzgerald both found the net as the hosts ran out 4-16 to 1-11 winners. Kilkenny are cemented into third spot but Tommy Shefflin has work to do following a second defeat in advance of a quarter-final clash in Croke Park in a fortnight, as Galway were full value for a 1-17 to 0-12 win at UPMC Nowlan Park today. Again the breeze was a factor and it was Kilkenny who needed to use it in the opening half. Instead they held just one lead in the hour, 0-4 to 0-3 on the back of consecutive points from Caoimhe Keher Murtagh and Aoife Prendergast midway through the half, and just one more white flag before the break was a paltry return. Galway had to work hard for their scores, Ann Marie Starr creating one for Carrie Dolan while Ciara Hickey hoisted over a majestic effort that put two between the sides (0-7 to 0-5) at the turnaround. Kilkenny were at their best in the third quarter when the Laura-Murphy-anchored defence held firm, conceding just three points up to the 45th minute. Three was still the margin (0-13 to 0-10) going into the closing stages but again it was the Tribeswomen who came up with the big plays, one of which saw Aoife Donohoe set up Dolan for a point with a wonderful lift on the run and under pressure on the left sideline. Then Niamh Niland picked the pocket of a Kilkenny defender and swept in the game's only goal from a tight angle to kill the contest with a few minutes to play. Now Waterford and Galway have two chances to reach the last four, Kilkenny are idle next week and Dublin need to avoid a slip-up at home to Derry if they are to stay out of the relegation final. Written by Kevin Egan and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .