Enda McEvoy: Whether full stop or comma, Limerick died like centurions

Limerick's downfall came in the fifth truly great All-Ireland championship encounter of the century.

A BRIDGE TOO FAR: Diarmaid Byrnes consoles team-mate Seán Finn after Limerick’s defeat to Cork in last Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final at Croke Park. Serial champions are obligated to try and defy not just the opposition but time itself. But time always wins. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Many Shannonsiders of uncertain age would have been happy – nay, overjoyed – to witness one All-Ireland victory, and were it the poxiest, most forgettable All-Ireland victory in history, so much the better. What they got to witness instead, unbelievably, was John Kiely’s Limerick.

Sadly not everyone lived to see the high days. Modern communications being what they are, one trusts they’ve heard the good news on the other side.