Striking gold: How Diarmaid Byrnes is ripping up the record books

'He’s a brilliant striker. He has become an absolute weapon for Limerick.'

FREE SCORING: Diarmaid Byrnes in action in Limerick's Munster championship win over Waterford at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photos by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Limerick were in control but the match was still alive in the 74th minute of the All-Ireland semi-final before David Reidy was fouled inside his own 65-metre line. John Kiely shook his fist in that moment. He knew Limerick couldn’t be beaten in normal time. Because Diarmaid Byrnes was standing over the free.

Byrnes nailed it, his sixth point of the match. It was another phenomenal strike from distance but it was also a reminder of how important Byrnes’ contribution had been to the victory, especially in the third quarter when Limerick were bailing heavy water and Byrnes’ metronomic accuracy was keeping the ship afloat, and on course.