Talking Point: The things that change hit us harder on All-Ireland final day

Limerick enjoyed their hair-down celebration so much last year that they privately admitted afterwards that this group could never see themselves staying in Dublin again after an All-Ireland final.

SHOWSTOPPERS: Offaly legend Brian Whelahan with the 1998 All-Ireland winning Jubilee team at last year's decider between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

As soon as the train carrying the Limerick squad and management arrived into Colbert station on the night of last year’s All-Ireland final, there was a Garda car waiting to pick up John Kiely and Cian Lynch.

The car instantly sped off because Kiely and Lynch were on the clock, heading straight for the Woodlands House hotel in Adare, where the RTÉ cameras were set up in the bar area.