Beating Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final yesterday at Croke Park, Limerick surpassed the stage they were knocked out at last year to set up a final against Waterford.
Having lost to Kilkenny by one point in the semi-final last year, former Tipperary hurler Paddy Stapleton believes Limerick are determined to settle scores after narrowly missing out on 2019's final.
Stapleton explained his point on Monday's OTB AM alongside former Galway manager Cyril Farrell.
Stapleton noted that while John Kiely will be satisfied his side are back in the final, there has been an angry demeanour to his team this year.
"I think John Kiely will be very, very happy," Stapleton began, "and you know what he seems very narky this year.
"I think there is real anger in Limerick that they didn't push on and beat Kilkenny in that semi-final last year. And I think they are really trying to exact revenge in that."
While that attitude has worked so far, Stapleton added that Limerick still have improvements to make on the pitch.
"It is working well but the only thing he will be concerned by is, I don't think they have hurled with huge fluency, like unbelievable fluency.
29 November 2020; Fintan Burke of Galway, centre, contests possession with Cian Lynch, left, and Kyle Hayes of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Limerick and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile"I don't think they have killed teams off as they have over the last couple of years. The only worry for Waterford is if that form is going to come in the All-Ireland final."
While Limerick were in contention last year up until defeat to Kilkenny in the semi-final, their opponents in this year's final, Waterford, weren't close. In fact, they lost every game of their Munster Championship round-robin.
But Liam Cahill has improved the team in his first year in charge and a 2-27 to 2-23 win over Kilkenny has set up a first All-Ireland final between the two counties in two weeks' time.
"There is real anger in Limerick that they didn't push on and beat Kilkenny in that semi-final last year"😤 @pasaint discusses Limerick's anger and Waterford's improvements since the Munster final🏑 | @gilletteUK #MadeOfWhatMatters pic.twitter.com/6EH3eqojhu
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 30, 2020
Limerick remain favourites, having beaten Waterford in the Munster final already this season, but Stapleton pointed out Cahill's team have greatly improved since then.
"It's sometimes difficult to beat the same team twice and I think Waterford really have improved since that Munster final," Stapleton said.
"It really looks like they have kicked up a gear in terms of going for goals and taking men on and being aggressive."
