Cathal O’Neill done looking back as Limerick eye better and stronger '26

For the first time since 2017, Limerick failed to deliver a piece of championship silverware. And Cathal O’Neill started just one of the six championship outings.

Cathal O'Neill of Limerick in action against Brian Hayes of Dublin 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

Rewind to the 64th minute of the 2023 All-Ireland final. Then 21-year-old Cathal O’Neill somehow managed to bypass the attention of both Cian Kenny and TJ Reid, while straddling the Cusack Stand sideline, en route to delivering his opening score off the bench.

Limerick’s bench contributed 0-10 during the successful four-in-a-row campaign. O’Neill was responsible for half the 0-10 total, and this despite starting almost as many games as he was subbed on in.