In GAA circles, discussions often turn to comparing teams from different eras. What was the best team the club ever produced? The best club team ever to come out of the County? The greatest club team of all time?

Within counties, clubs have periods of dominance and parochial pride normally leads people to whole heartedly believe that theirs would have beaten any team from any other era. In Antrim would the Loughgiel All-Ireland-winning teams of 1983 or 2012 have beaten the Dunloy team who were kingpins in Antrim and Ulster from 1994 to 2004? Or was the Ballycastle team of the late ‘70s, backboned by the Donnelly brothers, the greatest club team ever to come out of Antrim? No doubt club men in Cushendall, Rossa and elsewhere would have different ideas.

In Derry, Lavey reigned supreme in the ‘90s, Kevin Lynch h.c dominated the noughties whilst Sleacht Néill have been the number one team over the past decade. At their peak which team was better? Of course, I have my own ideas on that one! Every county provides the opportunity for similar discussions across both codes. Who was the greatest club team of any era to come out of your county? Answers on a postcard please….

In the wake of Limerick’s latest All-Ireland winning success, the dominant nature of their victory has opened the conversation around their position in the pantheon of great inter county hurling teams. With three All Ireland titles in four years, their combination of superior athleticism, physicality and sheer hurling brilliance gives them a very valid claim to the title of greatest of all time.

Whilst it is a young Limerick team and more success in the future seems inevitable, their achievements still pale in comparison to the to team widely accepted as the greatest of any generation. The Kilkenny team of the Henry Shefflin era won 10 All Ireland titles and showcased some of the greatest hurlers ever to play the game.

The argument as to which team is better is far from an exact science. Kilkenny’s period of dominance spanned a long period of time and there was a natural turnover in playing personnel during this stretch. For the sake of this debate, I have chosen a Kilkenny team from that time period and matched them up against the current Limerick team.

PJ Ryan v Nicky Quaid

PJ Ryan gave an unbelievable display in the 2009 final v Tipperary, pulling off a string of top-class saves to keep Kilkenny in the game when Tipperary were in the ascendancy. Nicky Quade however probably shades this battle, he is a great shot stopper, laser accurate with his puc outs and able to command the square, competently dealing with everything that comes his way.

Limerick 1 point

Mickey Kavanagh v Peter Casey

Peter Casey gave the performance of his career in this year’s All Ireland final until injury just before half time forced him out of the game. He had already scored 0-5 and was on pace for a man-of-the-match performance. Mickey Kavanagh, however, was a quietly efficient and brilliant corner back. Examples of corner forwards causing Kavanagh a lot of trouble are very rare.

Kilkenny 1 point

Seamus Flanagan v Noel Hickey

Noel Hickey was ferociously strong and commanding in the full back position. Seamus Flanagan has to be one of the most improved hurlers in Ireland over the past few seasons. His movement is excellent, he has great pace and power and causes defences serious problems. Possibly a contest that is too close to call.

1 point each

Aaron Gillane v Jackie Tyrell

Gillane is an excellent forward. He is a good ball winner and scores heavily but Jackie Tyrell relished the challenge of facing the marquee forwards in opposition teams. I think physically and mentally Jackie Tyrell would edge this contest.

Kilkenny 1 point

Tommy Walsh v Tom Morrisey

The Limerick half forward line v the Kilkenny half back line! A mouth-watering proposition. Tom Morrisey is a key cog in the Limerick machine. He covers a lot of ground, gets on a lot of ball and scores four or five points a game. Tommy Walsh however is Tommy Walsh. He was the emotional lightning rod for the Kilkenny team. He provided the spark and fire which the other players fed off. A serious contest with Tommy Walsh just getting the edge

Kilkenny 1 point

Brian Hogan v Cian Lynch

Brian Hogan was an underrated member of the Kilkenny defence, not getting the adulation of the men on either side of him. He was a dominant figure in the centre back position but Cian Lynch is hurling at a very high level at present. His skill level is unbelievable. He brings other players into the game and is generally at the heart of everything Limerick do well.

Limerick 1 point

JJ Delaney v Geroid Hegarty

Man of the match with 0-5 in last year’s All Irelands final, 2-2 in this year’s decider. There are very few defenders who can get to grips with Hegarty at present. With that said, JJ Delaney is arguably one of the greatest players ever to play the game. It is hard to choose any player from any era who would get the better of JJ Delaney.

Kilkenny 1 point

Michael Fennelly v
William O Donoghue

O Donoghue is a strong and teak tough midfielder, an unsung hero of the Limerick team. Fennelly was a colossus for Kilkenny during his playing career. Often unable to train through injury, he would work towards being available on the big days and was often the dominant player in the middle third on the biggest days.

Kilkenny 1 point

Michael Rice v
Darragh O Donovan

Michael Rice, like Hogan was an underrated member of the Kilkenny team. He was a solid player who did a lot of the unseen work that allowed the marquee names to shine. Darragh O Donovan probably shades this contest though, gaining the edge with his greater athleticism.

Limerick 1 point

Martin Comerford v Kyle Hayes

Martin Comerford was a great servant to Kilkenny and one of the most decorated players to ever play the game. He was very tough and always raised his game on the big occasions. Kyle Hayes is just a different level of athlete. At 6”5’ and with an incredible turn of pace, Hayes provides a huge attacking threat from the half-back line as well as being an excellent defender. One of the biggest conundrums for inter county teams going forward is how to nullify Kyle Hayes influence on games.

Limerick 1 point

Henry Shefflin v Declan Hannon

Declan Hannon is the Limerick captain, a top player and a strong presence at the centre of the Limerick defence. Henry Shefflin, like JJ Delaney is in the conversation for the greatest hurler to ever play the game. When Shefflin was on song, Kilkenny seemed invincible and this was often the case.

Kilkenny 1 point

Eoin Larkin v Diarmaid Byrnes

Another very difficult contest to call. Eoin Larkin was vital to so much of Kilkenny’s success during their time at the top. He was able to do it all, he could drop deep and get through mountains of work and he could score heavily when required. Byrnes like Hayes is a formidable physical force. He is a great striker of the ball and often chips in with 2 or 3 points a game from wing half back.

1 point each

Eddie Brennan v Barry Nash

Barry Nash is a very steady corner back. A good man marker and very comfortable in possession. Eddie Brennan on his day was one of the most exciting and deadly forwards in Ireland. He had an explosive turn of pace and was able to get goals in big games. On his day a nightmare for any corner back.

Kilkenny 1 point

Richie Power v Dan Morrissey

Dan Morrissey is a rock at the back for Limerick, like so many of his team mates, he is a serious physical specimen. Tight marking and, like the corner backs beside him, very comfortable in possession and able to use the ball well. Richie Power was a remarkable hurler, unbelievably skilful, he could win his own possession, whatever way it came. He could take a score, had brilliant vision and game sense allowing him to bring team mates into the game. Like most of the other Kilkenny forwards he was also excellent at tackling.

Kilkenny 1 point

Aidan Fogarty v Sean Finn

Aidan Fogarty’s most memorable performance in a Kilkenny jersey was the 2006 final v Cork. Fogarty scored 1-4 in a man of the match performance. Sean Finn is the stand out corner back in Ireland at present. He is a serious hurler and seems to be in command of his position at all times.

Limerick 1 point

Final score:

Kilkenny 9

Limerick 7

Kilkenny win the head-to-head battle for me. This is obviously an over simplification of the matter. Simply pairing the players off against each other doesn’t take into account the many other factors involved that would decide a match between the two teams. The tacticsgame plans either team might employ on the day, which bench would be more likely to have the greater impact and a whole list of other variables could impact the outcome in a game between these two great teams. However, all things considered, I still lean towards Kilkenny winning the game. Only just. The result can’t be called with any degree of certainty but one thing is for sure, it would have been one serious contest.

LEADER… Limerick’s Declan Hannon inspired his county

This is the headshot pic for Kevin Hinphey’s column. He is the one on the right with the dickie bow

LEGEND… Henry Shefflin was one of the greatest to ever play the game