Four talking points from Limerick’s Munster SHC final triumph over Clare

LIMERICK’S six-point victory over great rivals Clare in Sunday’s Munster senior hurling championship final at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles earned a place in the history books for John Kiely’s charges.

Thanks to their impressive 1-26 to 1-20 victory, Limerick have become the first county to win six Munster seniorhurling titlesin a row. The win also brought the county’s tally of provincial senior hurling titles to 25.

Leader Sport’s Paul Shaughnessy looks to four of the main talking points from an unforgettable day for Limerick hurling fans.

Limerick create history on Sunday

THIS Limerick team has once again created history. On Sunday Limerick won their sixth Munster title in-a-row which no county in Munster has ever achieved. 

One of most impressive statistics from Sunday’s victory for Limerick is that John Kiely and his team have a 100% record in finals during his time in charge of the team, which has resulted in the Shannonsiders’ claiming 14 trophies since 2018.

These final wins include Allianz League, Munster senior finals as well as All-Ireland senior hurling deciders. Quite a tally.

Limerick’s fast start to the second half

THE teams went in to the dressing rooms deadlocked at the interval of Sunday’s final courtesy of a late Peter Duggan goal right before half-time to leave the score at 1-10 to 0-13. 

Straight after half-time Limerick came out in flying fashion, racing into a four point lead with points from Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien, Tom Morrissey and Cathal O’Neill.

In that second half, Clare could never the game back on level terms and it always felt as if the Banner County, seeking their first Munster senior hurling title since 1998, were chasing the game. 

The performance of Declan Hannon

HANNON arguably produced his best performance of the year for the Shannonsiders.

The Limerick senior hurling captain did a terrific job on man marking highlyrated Clare forward Mark Rodgers and the Adare clubman chipped in with two points from centre half-back. 

July 7 All-Ireland semi-final awaits

LIMERICK have now booked their place in another All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final.

The Shannonsiders will return to Croke Park on Sunday, July 7 where they will face one of Cork, Wexford, Dublin, Offaly or Laois.

John Kiely’s charges are now just two games away from becoming the first team ever to win five Liam MacCarthy Cups in-a-row.

On the evidence of their convincing win over Clare on Sunday last when the side was short a number of key players due to injury, it is going to take a huge effort from their rivals to derail Limerick’s title ambitions.