Davy Fitzgerald felt the quality on show in the Leinster Hurling Championship game between Wexford and Galway on Saturday did not match what he saw in the Munster Championship on Sunday.
The former Waterford, Clare, and Wexford manager was on co-commentary duty for RTÉ Radio 1 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh as Limerick blew Cork away with an 11-point victory.
"Does anyone actually care what happened in the league?" said Fitzgerald.
"Limerick had a plan from day one, in my view. I think they tried to time their run. They'd won the last two All-Irelands. There was no point hitting the ground running in January or February.
"They wanted to do a lot of their heavy training in February coming into March, and see could they hit the ground running today. My God, they certainly hit it.
"They looked fresh, intense, their tackling was incredible, their fitness levels were way up from what I've seen. The difference is incredible in the five or six weeks."
After going in three points down at half-time at Walsh Park on Sunday, Waterford emerged a different side in the second half against Tipperary, ultimately winning 2-24 to 2-20.
17 April 2022; Waterford manager Liam Cahill reacts during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Waterford and Tipperary at Walsh Park in Waterford. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
"Everyone thought coming into the weekend that this was going to be a foregone conclusion, that Waterford were on fire in the semi-final and final of the league. It's often tough enough to back that up," said Fitzgerald.
"Tipperary played some lovely stuff today. They looked a little vulnerable at the back at certain times. They hung in there right till the end. They had some great performances. Mark Kehoe up front was excellent. I still think it's going to take then a small while to get to where they need to go to, but they're on the right road.
"If I was Liam Cahill, I wouldn't have been happy [with Waterford] in the first half. There was a lot more intent in their second half. The way they took the ball on from within their own half. They're very good when they do that. They did that well in the second half.
"Was it Jamie Barron or Austin Gleeson who made that difference? I don't know. I have a feeling Liam Cahill gave them a very nice half-time talk, and they reacted to it. Waterford will improve. Next weekend will be a savage weekend with Limerick and Waterford."
'Galway will be kicking themselves'
16 April 2022; Lee Chin of Wexford in action against Galway players Daithí Burke, right, and Fintan Burke during the Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Wexford and Galway at Chadwicks Wexford Park in Wexford. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
At Wexford Park on Saturday, Wexford came back from six points down at half-time to rescue a draw with Galway. Lee Chin was the hero, scoring the last four points of the match.
"The Wexford lads looked in trouble for a lot of that game yesterday," said Fitzgerald.
"Galway shot a lot of wides in the first half. I'm sure there were a lot of words at half-time in the Wexford dressing room. The one thing I know about these lads, they won't give in too easy. They'll fight on their backs. They did that, they deserve their luck at the end. Galway will be kicking themselves.
"I think both teams will need to improve. I thought the quality wasn't as good as what I've seen today."
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