Pat Ryan says his team will enjoy tonight before thinking about the All-Ireland final and taking on Clare in two weeks' time.

They brought Limerick's drive for five to an end following an epic shootout at Croke Park this afternoon, turning over the Shannonsiders for the second time this championship season.

The key period was the third quarter as the Rebels overturned their half-time two-point deficit and turned it into a seven-point lead by the 52nd minute.

Limerick rallied but they couldn't get closer than two points as they began to rain down high balls towards the end but the goal that might have flipped the result in their favour wouldn't come.

Ryan, speaking to RTÉ Sport after the game, admitted that he had his fears as Limerick began to build a head of steam in the last 10 minutes.

"I thought they were going to come back and bate us, like they do everyone," he said.

"Our fellas stuck in there and really ground it out. A couple of lads came on and made a bit of a difference for us.

"We've nothing won, we're into an All-Ireland final. Lads will celebrate tonight because you have to celebrate all your victories in amateur sport.

"Fellas will really enjoy it and we'll look after what happens with Clare next week."

The victory brought an end to Limerick's attempt to beat the blue bloods of the game - Cork and Kilkenny - to the five in a row of All-Ireland titles; the wait for the feat to be achieved goes on.

Despite that, Ryan was full of praise for what John Kiely and his squad have achieved since bringing the county's hurling famine to an end in 2018.

"We knew we were going to perform but this is a fantastic Limerick team," Ryan added.

"We'll celebrate our victory but what a team they've been for the last seven or eight years.

"They're driving the standards, we're all trying to catch up with them. You see the way they've brought the game to, the way they play the game.

"They've been brilliant champions and they've brought great joy to Limerick and fair play to them.

"We've plenty of pace but Limerick cut us open at times and Patrick made a couple of great saves; there were a couple of late ditch blocks by our defenders.

"We're just delighted to get over it."