Limerick have won their second All-Ireland hurling title in just three years after a 0-30 to 0-19 victory over Waterford at Croke Park today.
The Treaty County were the favourites all season and duly lived up their billing as the best squad in the country.
With many of players still in their early twenties, Limerick are being tipped to be the dominant force in hurling for many years to come.
But the Liam McCarthy Cup had long proved elusive to the Munster county with their 2018 success bridging a 45-year gap between titles.
Limerick have now won the All-Ireland hurling championship on nine occasions.
The county first won it in 1897 before adding further titles in 1918 and 1921.
Their most successful spell came between World Wars when won in 1934, 1936 and 1940.
But Limerick had to wait 33 years until they won again in 1973.
They are the fourth most successful county in the history of the championship, although they are still way behind third-place Tipperary who have 28 titles.
Cork are in second spot, winning the Liam McCarthy Cup on 30 occasions, while Kilkenny top the lot with 36 victories.
