In spite of rain falling throughout the entire game both sides served up a great game. At the beginning of the second-half Lory Meagher sent over a huge point from midfield giving Kilkenny a lead which they would not surrender. The game ended in controversial circumstances for Mick Mackey when Limerick were awarded a close-in free to level the game. Jack Keane issued an instruction from the sideline that Timmy Ryan, the team captain, was to take the free and put the sliotar over the bar for the equalising point. As he lined up to take it, Mackey pushed him aside and took the free himself. The shot dropped short and into the waiting hands of the Kilkenny goalkeeper and was cleared. The game ended shortly after with Kilkenny triumphing by 2-5 to 2-4. In 1936 Limerick embarked on a tour of the United States where they defeated a New York team made up of Irish expatriates. As a result of the tour Limerick were awarded a bye into the Munster final where they faced Tipperary. An injured Mick Mackey scored a remarkable 5-3 as Limerick trounced the opposition by 8-5 to 4-3. It was Scanlan's fourth successive Munster medal. For the third time in four years the lure of a Kilkenny-Limerick clash brought a record crowd of over 50,000 to Croke Park for the All-Ireland decider on 6 September 1936. The first half produced a game that lived up to the previous clashes, and Limerick had a two-point advantage at half-time. Jackie Power scored two first-half goals, while a solo-run goal by captain Mackey in the second-half helped Limerick to a 5-6 to 1-5 victory. It was Scanlan's first All-Ireland medal on the field of play. Decline and comeback In 1937 Scanlan secured a third league medal, however, Limerick's bid for a record-equalling fifth successive Munster crown came to an end in the provincial decider when Tipperary were victorious. Limerick entered the record books in 1938 as the first team to win five consecutive National League titles. On a personal level it was a fourth winners' medal for Scanlan. A period of decline followed for Limerick, however, the team returned for their swansong in 1940. After drawing the Munster final with Cork, Scanlan's team were in trouble in the replay. Held scoreless for the entire opening half, Limerick sprang to life for the second period of play. A pitch