The joy and release of Limerick’s All-Ireland win and the pain of his sister’s passing last year have changed Joe Quaid’s outlook on life.

Limerick’s strengths are based on ball retention and clever transition from defence through good positioning and support running.

Hurling’s best kept secret, the Joe McDonagh Cup, comes out of the shadows on Sunday with live TV coverage of the final at Croke Park between Laois and Westmeath.

This past year I’ve gone back to college to study sports science and yesterday morning I had to hand in an assignment.

That Kilkenny is the only other county in the past 30 years to back up an All-Ireland final win with a hurling league title the following spring tells you the path which this Limerick group are forging for themselves.

Following in the footsteps of the ultra-dominant Kilkenny teams of this decade and last, Limerick secured national league silverware seven months after claiming Liam MacCarthy.

Westmeath boss Joe Quaid says the GAA only care about the highest tier of hurling and has backed calls for all league finals to take place in Croke Park.

This All-Ireland final was all about Limerick until the last 10 minutes.

Limerick were behind by eight points at half-time in their league game with Galway earlier in the season. They won’t want to be in a similar situation at any time tomorrow. They will be looking for a good start and their go-to man from puckouts, particularly early in the game, is Gearóid Hegarty.

You know a moment in a game of hurling is impressive when it makes waves in the US.

Two items stood out from John Meyler’s debrief.

Fine margins. Iconic moments. Inspirational acts of skill. Croke Park was awash with them at the weekend.

The sense of injustice felt in Kildare at present isn’t exclusive to the county’s footballers.

The sense of injustice felt in Kildare at present isn’t exclusive to the county’s footballers.

The sense of injustice felt in Kildare at present isn’t exclusive to the county’s footballers.

Eighties pin-up Dennis Quaid’s latest role is in the feelgood A Dog’s Purpose. He talks to Ella Walker about past lives, being an embarrassing dad and why dogs really are man’s best friend.

Forbidden love is often ignited under the heat of the cameras, but it rarely lasts the course, writes Ed Power

Joe Quaid has claimed Limerick star Cian Lynch left the Semple Stadium pitch “visibly upset” after he was verbally abused by a spectator following Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final defeat to Tipperary.

The loss of John O’Dwyer to an early red card didn’t deter Tipperary from confirming a second successive Munster final date with Waterford.

John Maughan is poised for a return to the Mayo sideline having emerged as the frontrunner for the county’s vacant U21 manager’s position.

Limerick hurling legend Joe Quaid has confirmed his interest in managing Offaly, though former boss Joe Dooley has emerged as a surprise contender to return to the role.

Joe Quaid’s Twitter profile picture tells you pretty much everything you need to know about his love affair with Limerick camogie.

Nickie Quaid is Limerick’s sole major injury concern ahead of Sunday week’s Munster semi-final against Tipperary.

Limerick hurling manager TJ Ryan has given three debuts for Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final clash with Clare in Semple Stadium (throw-in 4pm).

I came on against UCC in the Waterford Crystal in January, and the last time I hit a free was against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final in August.

Limerick’s hurlers will not be seeking to atone for their flat performance and accompanying defeat to Clare in the 2013 All-Ireland semi-final when they face the Banner again in a Munster opener on Sunday.

Limerick’s David Breen has been ruled out of action until the start of July, meaning the Na Piarsaigh man will miss the Munster SHC semi-final against Tipperary should the county see off Clare on May 24 in the provincial opener.

Irish exporters are set to see increased competition this year, but overall growth is still expected to amount to around 7%.

A father-of-eight has scooped the top prize at this year’s Volunteer Ireland Awards for his work with a Chernobyl children’s charity.

Limerick 1-12 Kilkenny 0-10

As an opening line it’s a strong one and pretty much sums up manager Joe Quaid’s sense of mission with the Limerick intermediate camogie team.

RTÉ broadcaster Brenda Donohue today presented the 2014 Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards honouring those who made a significant, and often unheralded, contribution to society.

What a disappointment this 2014 hurling championship has been.

Champions Na Piarsaigh remain unbeaten but needed a late David Dempsey goal to finally kill off Effin, 2-17 to 2-10.

An All Star in 2007, dropped in 2009, recalled in 2011 and then quitting inter-county scene at the age of 26, Andrew O’Shaughnessy is one of Limerick hurling’s greatest enigmas. He pulls no punches as he discusses his battle with multiple sclerosis and the vicious circle that surrounds the county team

Galway 0-12 Limerick 0-10