'We just keep coming back': Tribesmen return to hurling's top table 

There are a number of factors in the gap of the last few years being closed to the point of possibly wiping it out this Sunday. 

Galway's Cathal Mannion. Pic: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho

Six minutes into injury-time in the 2020 All-Ireland semi-final, Galway stood level with Limerick. Sixty-seven minutes into the 2022 All-Ireland semi-final, Galway stood level with Limerick.

On both occasions, the westerners were right there with the standard bearers. The gap was so miniscule as to be non-existent.

The gap would become a chasm. Galway didn’t just fall off Limerick's pace, they fell off the pace of everyone that was relevant in the hurling sphere.

The Treaty had nine to spare on them in the semi-final clash of 2023. Across the closing 45 minutes, the men in maroon were outgunned by 1-18 to 0-6.

Wexford outgunned them, outthought them, and then outthought them so more in the following year’s Leinster round-robin. 

Dublin came to Salthill three weeks later and made certain that Galway went nowhere beyond the Leinster round-robin.

The first chapter in Micheál Donoghue's second coming was hardly any more encouraging. 

Fifty-eight minutes into last year’s Leinster final, Kilkenny’s lead over a tortured Tribe was 13 points. The margin was again in double-digits around the same time in the subsequent All-Ireland quarter-final against Tipp.

Galway were slipping further and further back the field. 

The belief was being further and further tested that a return could be achieved, never mind to 2017 heights, but even to those knockout weekends in 2020 and ‘22 when Galway came, challenged, and so very nearly conquered.

Galway's Cathal Mannion comes up against Rob Downey of Cork. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

“You play hurling at this level to play in big games and to win, and when that doesn't happen... Obviously, the last number of years have been tough, but we just keep coming back,” said Cathal Mannion, a member of the maroon furniture for 13 seasons now.

“You set smaller targets for yourself each year, and then the last number of years, the panel has changed a lot.

“Every year is different. You look forward more than you look behind. If you keep looking back, you won’t enjoy it as much.” 

There are a number of factors in the gap being closed to the point of possibly wiping it out this Sunday. 

In no particular order, you have Franny Forde’s blueprint, Jason Rabbitte’s height, Jason Rabbitte’s left paw, Darragh Neary’s wheels, Aaron Niland’s potential for wizardry, Tom Monaghan’s accuracy from impossible distances, Ronan Glennon’s penchant to try and outdo Monaghan’s impossible shooting, Pádraic Mannion’s reading, and the younger brother’s versatility.

The younger brother is keen to downplay his versatility. 

Hard to downplay a role, though, where the man wearing No.11 on his back is the furthest back on at least one occasion most championship weekends.

“If someone gets forward, it could be my role to pick up their man or whatever the case is, it's not something I do on purpose. It's just within the role You probably play it as you see it on a lot of occasions,” said the 31-year-old.

“If you look at any midfielder now, it's up and down the pitch and that's your role, I'm no different. I try do that and I try to do what's expected.” To Sunday. To stand with Limerick for as long as is necessary. To finally surpass them in the end.

“Obviously, there have been a lot of tough days, but the good days probably entice you to keep coming back, and as I said, you kind of just take every year differently. These are the days you play hurling for from a young age.”