'The system is working': Limerick Acadamy manager Pat Donnelly on Treaty thriving

Limerick Acadamy manager Pat Donnelly led the county's U21s to All-Ireland success in 2017. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

On Wednesday in Rathkeale, the floodlights lit up another dark and black December night in Mick Neville Park like an orb. With the sounds and background noise from 34 young Limerick players preparing for Sunday's Munster minor final piercing the night sky, and with the good vibes from last Sunday still coursing through the players’ veins, Rathkeale felt like the centre of the hurling universe.

Limerick hurling has been on fire all week, but the minors lit the first fuse to ignite the blaze last Saturday when beating a fancied Cork team by 12 points.