All-Ireland Hurling final vox pop

AARON FOX ARMAGH

IT’S Limerick’s to lose for me. Their physicality is better than any team in Ireland and they have match-winners all over the field. I still think they have more to give after the Galway game and they’ll look to reach those highs against Waterford.

I thought they had another gear against Galway and they haven’t hit yet. Even without that they’re still steaming into the final. There is an opportunity they might blow Waterford away but I hope not.

Waterford, on the other hand, have had a brilliant year but they’ll need to repeat their performance against Kilkenny to have a shout. As history shows, it’s very hard to put back-to-back performances like that together so that’s why I am tipping Limerick by five or six points.

I’d prefer Waterford to win, you always like the underdog. Limerick got over the line in 2018 but I’m looking forward to the game and no matter who wins I’ll be happy enough.

Verdict: Limerick

—————

RICHIE MULLAN DERRY

I THINK it’s very hard to look past Limerick. The strength of squad they have, the size of it physically, makes them far, far too good for anyone else in Ireland at the minute. They have a real sharpness there currently.

I thought Limerick were nowhere near their best in the semi-final with Galway and they still hit 27 points. They seemed to bully Galway around the field and I had thought that Galway would be the only team that could have matched them physically, that could have stood up to them. They didn’t.

You never know with Waterford, they bullied Kilkenny around the field in the second half of their semi-final so if they can bring that to the final then maybe they’ll be able to match Limerick.

If they play the way they did in the second half then they do have the boys there in the forward line that can cause problems. Stephen Bennett is a shoo-in for an All-Star already and if he plays like he has been playing, and Dessie Hutchinson the same, then they have a chance. They need to get going early and maybe get a few goals in the first half.

That’s a big ask though and I still feel it’s going to be Limerick.

Verdict: Limerick

——————

OISIN MCMANUS DOWN

I THINK it will be close but my gut is saying Limerick, they’re just too big and strong and they have the ability to win games when they’re under pressure. Against Galway they just worked their way through it and never changed from what they were doing.

Teams struggle to stop the way they want to play. They’re too strong for everyone at the minute, including Waterford. They are the perfect athletes, they can hurl as well and move the ball brilliantly. They can shoot from anywhere and they don’t really miss.

Everyone will want Waterford to win though. They have been building each game and they showed that in the second half against Kilkenny. They have a bit of confidence about them and the likes of Austin Gleeson are starting to play really well now. Stephen Bennett is on course for Hurler of the Year in my opinion.

If they can get those lads flying, then it could be a really tight game. Even with that, it’s still Limerick for me. You would love to see Waterford come out on top though.

Verdict: Limerick

———————

CONOR MCELHATTON TYRONE

IT’S going to be a great and whoever’s half-forward line comes out on top will probably win it. The half-forward lines have been outstanding for both teams at the minute.

A real match-up could be Limerick’s Cian Lynch versus Waterford’s Tadhg de Búrca. If Cian is playing centre half-forward then it could be a real battle there. It would be good see.

I would like to see Waterford win the All-Ireland for what they have given to hurling over the last 10, 15 years.

They really deserve one but the head is saying Limerick. I’m going to go with Limerick by two points but I’m expecting a great game.

Verdict: Limerick