ALL-IRELAND FINAL FALLOUT: How Galway rated on a tough day in Croker for the Tribesmen

 GALWAY PLAYER RATINGS Darach Fahy 6Brilliant early save from Hegarty but it was obvious early that his puck-out would be under enormous pressure. It never relented.Joshua Ryan 6For sheer endurance, his performance stood out. He was fouled for the late penalty, but was under ceaseless pressure at the other end.Cillian Trayers 6Probably Galway’s best performer, and that’s despite the difficulties Aaron Gillane gave him. He never stopped battling, and won his share of ball. Galway captain Darren Morrissey shakes hands before the game with his Limerick counterpart Cian LynchDarren Morrissey 5After a fine campaign in which he got on the front foot regularly, this was a day under siege for the skipper.Padraic Mannion 5The veteran battled manfully against Cathal O’Neill, but the middle third was a waste ground for Galway as Limerick routed them.Daithí Burke 6Wore six but at full back, he wasn’t stressed by Shane O’Brien and his fitness held up despite fears it could creak.Ronan Glennon 5An rough day for Glennon, who was deservedly sent off for a high hit. Had suffered given Hegarty’s form before that.Tiernan Killeen 5Faced the insoluble problem of trying to move through Limerick’s green wall defence, and it took a toll as he looked shattered.Gavin Lee 5He was swallowed up by a cluster of Limerick tacklers any time he came into possession, and could make no headway.Tom Monaghan 6Rallied in the third quarter and it was a surprise to see him replaced in the 55th minute but struggled before then.Cathal Mannion 5Another who found himself consumed by the green forcefield any time he tried to move forwards, his impact was nullified. Jason Rabbitte was one of the positive stories for Galway on a difficult day for the TribesmenDarragh Neary 5He just could not get into the game, and was booked just before half time for a loose chop on Cian Lynch.Conor Whelan 5He was allowed to roam by the Limerick defence, and was caught up in the congestion that Limerick applied to the middle third.Jason Rabbitte 6Along with Trayers and Niland, the big positive for Galway. He had Peter Casey switched after 10 minutes, then had Sean Finn under enormous pressure.Aaron Niland 6An excellent showing from a player who never stopped showing or trying, and he looked spent when he was replaced.Substitutes 5There was nothing any replacement could do to turn this match. Conor Cooney finished up with 1-2, but the game was long gone by then. John Fleming and Colm Molloy tried hard too but the outcome had long been settled.Manager 5In truth, there was little Micheál Donoghue could do to affect a game that was dictated entirely on Limerick’s terms. There was no point in persisting with short puck-outs throughout the first half. Could have left Monaghan on longer too. Galway manager Micheál Donoghue looks on ruefully as Limerick power to victory yesterday