Christy O’Connor: Crash-test hurling is now closer to rugby than football

Limerick are the brand leaders of the power game, they expect to dominate collisions and rucks

NOWHERE TO GO: Dessie Hutchinson of Waterford is tackled by Limerick players in the All-Irelad final

THE All-Ireland final was only seven seconds old when Seamus Flanagan scrambled the ball into his hand despite being chased down by three Waterford players. When Flanagan’s path to goal was blocked by Tadgh de Búrca, he handpassed back to Will O’Donoghue, who was immediately surrounded by four Waterford players.

O’Donoghue shifted possession back to Aaron Gillane but the phase of play was so manic and chaotic that Gillane couldn’t snaffle the ball and his attempt at a flash strike was blocked down. The subsequent ruck lasted 11 seconds before Ian Kenny eventually smuggled the ball back into his hand.