This game, the 1923 final, was not actually played until September 1924 when Galway faced Limerick in a ‘dour hour’s hurling’. “Physical strength, fitness and courage were the dominating factors.
The play was strenuous if fitful and an exciting period followed the interval when Limerick made determined efforts to wipe off the arrears. Galway finished with great dash and were clearly superior on the day’s form”. These were the words of P.D. Mehigan who reported on the game for the Irish Times.
“McKenepick, Dublin, refereed and he had rather a busy time, for the game was robust and vigorous from the outset. Limerick had a strong wind behind them from the city goal and Gleeson opened the scoring for them with a clever point from the side line. They continued to press but the Munster forwards were wayward in their shooting, ball after ball being sent wide.
Then Harney had a free and Limerick’s posts were stormed. A struggle at the goalmouth followed and Kenny, the Galway captain, coming right up the field, clinched matters with a hot shot into the net.
The Connaught-men attacked resolutely and McGrath’s shot for a second goal was greeted lustily by the western following. Humphreys scored a point for Limerick then Gleeson smashed a goal through for them and put them within a point. The hurling was crude in many succeeding passages. Humphreys scored a point for Limerick but then Harney and King doubled skilfully and Kelly, rushing in, bundled the keeper Hanley and ball into the net. All square at half time.
Galway now had a strong wind behind them and Gill, at left half back was playing brilliantly lobbing high soaring balls in to the area from his own half. He had skilled finishers waiting in there and Gibbs with a fast shot put the ball in the corner of the net. Morrissey repeated the score and after a thrilling bout, McGrath put Galway three goals up with a clever crossing shot from 30 yards out.
Spectators were now treated to the best hurling of the match with Limerick going all out to avert defeat. McInerney, Keane and Hough came into the picture, meeting flying balls and sending them back farther than they came, but Mahony in the Galway goal was as safe as a stone wall making several important saves.
Neville ultimately pushed a goal through for Limerick and McGrath repeated the score, but King shot a point from halfway for Galway.
Both teams strained every muscle, falls and minor accidents were frequent but Galway were the fitter team, came stronger out of the rucks, backed up better, and as a result of strong accurate hitting, assumed control.
Limerick made efforts to turn the tide and only the fine defensive tactics of Keane, Hough, McInerney and Murnane held them out to the end when Galway were sterling winners on the score The game was stubbornly contested but Galway deserved all the cheering they got at the end”.
