Podge Collins Identifies Key Reason Limerick Are All-Ireland Favourites

Limerick's latest Munster title only strengthened their position as favourites for the Liam MacCarthy. For Podge Collins, there is one reason above all others why John Kiely's side is the team to beat.

Speaking on GAA+'s The View, the former Clare star argued that no county can match the sheer depth available to the Treaty men.

Limerick edged Cork in a dramatic Munster final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with Aidan O'Connor scoring 0-8, Gearóid Hegarty contributing 1-1 and Nickie Quaid rolling back the years with a man-of-the-match display at 37 years of age.

However, Podge Collins believes it is not simply the stars in Limerick's starting team that make them so formidable.

Instead, it is the quality of players waiting in reserve.

It is Limerick's strength and depth that I really feel kind of differentiates that group from the other teams.

The former dual star pointed to several high-profile players who have found themselves in and out of the starting team despite being among the country's elite hurlers.

Adam English is in my opinion, one of the best hurlers in the country, and he's not starting.

And I was like, is he injured? Is he not?

Collins was equally complimentary of another emerging Limerick star.

Shane O'Brien wasn't named to start during the week, and I had him with Mary I.

And he's just phenomenal. A phenomenal ball winner.

His touch there, the high ball coming out of the sky in the first half, touched it down over the bar like a class hurler.

For Collins, the real sign of Limerick's strength is the calibre of players they can leave out.

You've Mike Casey on the bench, Tom Morrissey on the bench.

David Reidy on the bench.

So they're favourites for the All-Ireland and probably rightfully so.

While Cork pushed them all the way in the Munster final, Collins even suggested the margin of victory could have been more comfortable.

If Aidan O'Connor didn't have an off day on the frees, I do think they would have won a bit more comfortably yesterday.

Limerick's quest to reclaim the All-Ireland will is really moving now, and if Collins is correct, it is their extraordinary depth rather than any individual star that gives them the edge over the chasing pack.