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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Kevin Taylor

Limerick v Waterford 5 talking points as Treaty win All-Ireland hurling title

Limerick are the 2020 All-Ireland champions after a comprehensive 0-30 to 0-19 win over Waterford in the final at Croke Park.

Treaty supporters couldn't be in the ground to witness a second All-Ireland title in three years today but socially distant celebrations will last long into the night on Shannonside.

Here, Mirror Sport looks at some of the big talking points from the All-Ireland final.

Limerick leave no doubt

Limerick were utterly dominant from start to finish this afternoon and never looked like losing. An 11-point margin of victory didn't flatter John Kiely's men in the slightest.

After their 2018 breakthrough, many wondered just how far this team could go.

Limerick's Declan Hannon lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

Now, with a second All-Ireland in three years in the bag, Limerick fans could be forgiven for wondering how many more this talented Treaty team can win.

Kiely's side is packed full of young stars and Limerick will be firm favourites next year when they attempt to put titles back-to-back.

Gearoid to glory

Gearoid Hegarty looks like the clear favourite for 2020 Hurler of the Year after his outstanding performance in today's final.

Hegarty scored 0-4 against Galway in the semi-final after nailing 0-2 in Munster against both Waterford and Tipperary, and 0-5 against Clare.

He followed that scoring run up with 0-7 today and a Man of the Match performance on the biggest stage of all.

Brighter Deise ahead?

It didn't happen for Waterford today and their direct running style was curbed by a combination of stout Limerick defending and a heavy pitch at Croke Park.

But Liam Cahill has put pride back in the Deise jersey after a tough couple of years and the emergence of Dessie Hutchinson as one of the country's top forwards is another reason for hope going forward.

Waterford’s Shane McNulty with Seamus Flanagan of Limerick (©INPHO/Tommy Dickson)

Waterford fans have cause for optimism but they were second-best from the throw-in today and a positive Championship campaign ended on a bitterly disappointing note.

A strange final for strange times

This All-Ireland final is likely to be remembered as much for the strange scene off the pitch as what happened on it.

Last night's All-Ireland Camogie final gave us a glimpse of what behind-closed-doors celebrations look like, as Kilkenny revelled in their victory at a near-empty Croke Park.

Limerick's Aaron Gillane celebrates after the game with Diarmaid Byrnes (©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

And there will be mixed emotions for Limerick people tonight as they watch at home on television without being there in the flesh - but after a tough year, this is still a triumph to be savoured.

Thrilling Championship draws to a close

Earlier this year, it seemed highly unlikely that we would be treated to All-Ireland Championships in 2020.

Limerick goalkeeper Nickie Quaid makes a save (©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)

But the GAA deserve major credit for running the competitions safely, and while the All-Ireland final wasn't a vintage one, we have been lucky to witness some brilliant games over the last few months.

There are some sports that undoubtedly suffer from a lack of atmosphere. But the excitement of hurling shone through even without fans in the stands.

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