Tommy Walsh has praised the Limerick hurling side and the work of John Kiely, after a weekend of Allianz League action saw them top Division One.
Walsh was speaking to Off The Ball about Kiely's endeavours to assuage the disappointment of losing an All-Ireland final last year, and believes that the Munster men might have a problem in having too many quality players come Championship.
Limerick key men
"Hats off to Limerick," said Walsh.
"They got caught in the semi-final in the first twenty minutes. They gave Kilkenny too much of a lead and couldn't get back and get in front.
"We have to take our hats off to Limerick. Whether it is a Munster league match, a national league match, a Championship game or an All-Ireland - every match is an All-Ireland to them.
"It has been since John Kiely took over. The first year was quiet, but since then they have been brilliant."
It was three players in particular that Walsh finds crucial to their game.
"Their attitude and their skill - they have brought on their game in regard to their short game. Now they can play long and short.
"The three guys in the half-forward line are so important to them - Kyle Hayes, Gearoid McInerney and Tom Morrissey.
"I was watching the game against Galway there, and they go through a serious amount of ball.
"[Limerick] play a short game up into the midfield, and tackling is such a huge skill in the game at the moment because you have three lads around the player.
"If you have small guys winning the ball there, you can't move forward as the guys will just hold you up as they are so strong.
"The [three] are such huge men that when they are there, they just burst through the tackles.
"They are very important to them in the form that they are in."
Limerick strength
Limerick will find themselves in a tricky position come the Championship, according to Walsh.
"The danger is that come the first round of the Championship, John Kiely is wondering who he is going to pick.
"He has nearly too many players to pick from.
"He would want to settle down 12 of the team, and have maybe three places up for grab by the end of this league."
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