Limerick lack that clinical edge

MAYBE the answer is 13-a-side. Remove the full back and full forward from the equation, and allow players to use their enormous levels of fitness in a more productive way.

If yesterday's two provincial finals showed us anything, it is the massive part fitness and physique now plays in gaelic football. In Limerick, there was hardly a yard's space for anyone to manoeuvre in. It was hardly surprising: both managers had advertised the fact that they would not be pushed around, and so it proved.

However, the fact that his side stood up to Kerry will be of little consolation to Limerick manager Liam Kearns. The bottom line is that the home side missed a glorious chance of history yesterday through a critical lack of experience.