After eight years spent toiling in hurling's second tier, Limerick have secured their place in Division 1A for 2019.
Looking dead and buried in Salthill at half-time in what amounted to today's Division 1B decider, John Kiely's Limerick rallied and overcame Galway's eight point lead at the half-way mark.
While they will now look to the remainder of the league safe in the knowledge that promotion is secure, the chance of claiming a first league title in twenty-one years may well become the primary focus.
Although Kiely had suggested that today was "not the be all and end all" of Limerick's year, the win brings to an end Limerick's unhappy acquaintance with Division 1B.
A game in which both sides took their turns to rack up scores, it finally culminated in creating a tight finish.
The most memorable score of the afternoon may well rest with Cian Lynch. A nephew of Ciaran Carey, his solo effort through the heart of the Galway defence may not have totally recaptured his uncle's Munster heroics all those years ago, but for now, it's something to hold onto.
Providing Limerick with a slim lead they needed, the roar from the crowd said it all.
The 2-18 to 1-19 scoreline was enough to condemn the All-Ireland winners Galway to another year in 1B, that being said, it didn't do them much harm last year.
For Limerick, the good times, just maybe, are coming back.
Scór deiridh #AllianzLeagues Iomána promotion decider!!@Galway_GAA 1-19 @LimerickCLG 2-18
Limerick are promoted to Division 1A. pic.twitter.com/tChGiAYYq1— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) March 11, 2018
Fantastic win. Limerick wanted it more than Galway - unreal heart especially when the chips were down.
— OLLIE MORAN (@olmorfs) March 11, 2018
PROMOTED - yes, yes, yes..... at last.... After 8-years Limerick back in Division One of Allianz Hurling League. Result in Salthill Limerick 2-18 Galway 1-19. What a second half from John Kiely's team #GAA #LLSport
— Jerome O'Connell (@JeromeSport) March 11, 2018
Huge win for #Limerick hurlers in #Galway - hopefully it’s a sign they’ll be in the mix in the summer. #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/2ncbHJNzoh
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) March 11, 2018
To quote the great Richie Bennis, it's a "brillent" day for Limerick.
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) March 11, 2018
