Christy O'Connor: Dublin pulled off hurling’s biggest shock in 50 years

This victory was so seismic that it’s legitimate to say there is little to compare with it across the last half-century.

Aaron Gillane of Limerick reacts after his shot was saved by Dublin goalkeeper Sean Brennan during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Dublin and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

The odds on Dublin beforehand were long but they got a whole lot longer as soon as Chris Crummey was sent off on Saturday. Just moments later, one bookmaker pushed the odds out to 66-1 on a Dublin win. Who would have taken that bet? Nobody.

Even though Dublin were four points ahead at half-time, the bookies were still giving even money on Dublin, plus nine points. When Dublin were still two points up with a few minutes to go, some bookies still had Limerick odds-on to win. Despite all that happened throughout the match, the bookmakers just couldn’t see anything else other than a Limerick victory. Outside of the Dublin camp, nobody could.