Limerick are a top class team, but it is fair to say that they do play on the edge at times. They are a very physical side, something that often results in pushing the rules to their limits on occasion.
There have been a few instances of such in recent years, with Gearóid Hegarty's red card against Galway in this year's league a prime example. The 2020 Hurler of they Year received a straight red card for lashing out at Joseph Cooney.
Gearóid Hegarty of @LimerickCLG sees red. pic.twitter.com/f6lIojm13L
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 12, 2022
Speaking RTÉ after that game, pundit Donal Óg Cusack said that such a punishment had been a long time coming for Hegarty after he had gotten away with similar challenges in the past.
It wouldn't take you long to go back and five other incidents like that. You can't use that hurley like that.
We've all spoken very highly of him and Limerick over the last few years, but he has a fierce habit of flicking back with the hurley. You can't do it.
He has been very lucky over the last few years.
The St Patrick's man has admitted that he was 'embarrassed' after being sent off on this occasion, the first time he had experienced that at inter-county level. However, he did not pay much attention to the criticism directed his way at the time.
READ HERE: How Return To Junior Hurling Brought Gearóid Hegarty 'Back Down To Earth'
Gearóid Hegarty not concerned with red card criticism
Speaking at the launch of Bord Gáis Energy's The Gift of the GAAB campaign, Gearóid Hegarty admitted that he 'couldn't care less' about the comments made by the former Cork goalkeeper.
What he said is what he said. But I suppose the old phrase that nice guys win nothing is relevant.
Like, we do play on the edge as a team, we all play on the edge, but I think you have to play on the edge. It's either kill or be killed out there, in my opinion.
I honestly couldn't care less what anybody says about me bar the people inside in our little circle. He's entitled to his opinion, off he goes, I couldn't care less...
I think there's a big difference between dirty and physical. There's a bit of a grey area between the two, you know, but we do play a very physical brand of hurling. It's as simple as that.
At times we play on the edge, and at times you maybe go a little bit over the edge. That's just the way it is and that's why the referee is there to control it.
I made a mistake in the Galway game, I went too far over the line and I got punished and I should have got punished. I got rightly sent off and that's the way it is. It's not going to stop me from keep playing on the edge. That's just the way I play.
I suppose it's worked for me very well over the last couple of years. It's just trying to strike the balance.
Limerick had a poor league campaign, although they will be looking to step things up a gear when the Munster Championship gets underway this weekend with a visit to Cork.
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