It's a killer for Hoggie and Seamie Harnedy to come up short again but All-Irelands are so hard won. A handful of the Clare lads have their second medal now, which is even more incredible again considering that Clare only have five of them.

This was finally a bridge too far for Limerick but this team will still go down as one of the greatest ever.

In my analysis for RTÉ at half-time on Saturday in Croke Park, I was harsh on Clare. It wasn’t personal, just reality. I was wondering was this where it was all going to end for this group under Brian Lohan.

You can sense the trepidation and public fear of potentially losing another All-Ireland semi-final.

A rebuild would have needed another three years, which Henry Shefflin was never going to get.

Clare again showed the resolve which has been the hallmark of this side.

I can understand the anger and frustration in Wexford this week at the clash with the Féile but they can’t pin it all on Clare either.

It doesn’t matter how much Cork score, will that trade-off work if they get to Croke Park? It’s a risky gamble.

Limerick don’t be long in putting the dreams of others to bed. They just create their own.

It would be easy when the real heat comes on to think that the losers could have a handier route to an All-Ireland final. That can’t entertain Clare's thought process for a second.