Limerick have claimed a historic sixth consecutive Munster Senior Hurling Championship crown and typically, Gearoid Hegarty was crucial to it.
Hegarty, like so many of his decorated teammates, has embodied a golden era for Limerick hurling as they look to forge on and claim a record fifth All-Ireland Championship on the spin.
The Tribesmen have ensured their place in the final four in the race for the Liam MacCarthy Cup and have shown no signs of slowing down despite over half-a-decade of dominance.
John Kiely's men simply had too much for Clare yet again as they cemented their status as All-Ireland title favourites.
The sides went in level at the break, after a brilliant Peter Duggan goal with virtually the last puck of the opening period but Limerick would show typical character after the interval.
Their longevity and continued high levels of performance remains remarkable and Hegarty offered clarity to what has kept them top of the pile.
FT: Limerick 1-26 Clare 1-20
Limerick are history makers - six in a row in Munster! #RTEGAA
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Gearoid Hegarty Heaps Praise On Young Limerick Star
While most great teams have naturally tailed off at this stage in the past, Hegarty cited the youth coming through as a key factor in keeping them on the ball.
Youngster Shane O'Brien made his first Championship start at just 19 years of age, and Hegarty singled him out for praise after the win.
You see Shane O'Brien making his first start today is it? He only came on the last day," Hegarty said.
"A young fella at 19, to be able to do what he did when he came on (is incredible). I don't want to be heaping too much pressure on him; he is well able, he is a big strong man.
"I wouldn't have started with a senior club team at 19 not to mind the inter-county team so.
"Adam (English) coming on, Colin Coughlan; those are the boys that give us the energy."
'I couldn't care less what's happened since 2018'
Player of the match Gearoid Hegarty says Limerick are fully focused on 2024 #RTEGAA
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Their development line shows no sign of slowing down and Donal Og Cusack warned that it is an ominous sign for rival counties going forward.
The Cork legend explained on The Sunday Game that Limerick should remain competitive for the long haul despite some of their key men being in the latter half of their senior careers.
