The experts’ view ahead of Limerick’s Munster SHC final with Clare

Aoife Sheehan, James Ryan, Paul Shaughnessy, Tom Condon and Seanie McGrath give their thoughts ahead of Sunday’s Munster SHC final between Limerick and Clare in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 4pm. 

Aoife Sheehan (RTE Radio Analyst)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

It’s going to be a ferocious battle, it will sure be tense if the last few meetings are anything to go by. Clare will be keen to add to April’s League honours and not lose three Munster finals in a row. Limerick, bar the defeat to Cork, have done very little wrong this Munster campaign, and players are finding form. The game against Waterford could have been over at half-time if Limerick’s shooting efficiency had been higher.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

The match-up of Conor Cleary on Aaron Gillane has left Limerick supporters most riled up in recent meetings. The battle in the middle third will be key, Limerick will need to keep their shape to avoid conceding goals. Shane O’Donnell has been their top performer and will need minding up front.

DO YOU EXPECT LIMERICK OR CLARE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING XV?

Depending on the injury situation there could be, Shane O’Brien made a huge contribution off the bench, scoring and winning his aerial battle and has done enough to put his hand up for a starting place.

WHO WILL WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

Limerick will win, they are improving with each game and look in good form to secure six titles in a row.

COULD WE SEE LIMERICK AND CLARE MEETING LATER ON IN THE YEAR?

It depends on how this Munster final goes for Clare, for the last few years it seemed to take a lot of energy from them when they were in the All-Ireland series.

James Ryan (Former Limerick hurler)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

I’m expecting the same that went on in the last two Munster finals in terms of it being very close and that it’s going to go all the way. Limerick always play to the same level and to the same intensity. In Clare’s last two games, they’ve had ups-and-downs and Clare know themselves they have to play for 70 minutes.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

They’re all over the pitch. I think the goalkeepers will have a big say. If you go back to the first round of the championship, Clare actually won the puckout battle. Dan Morrissey is probably going to be on Shane O’Donnel and two lads are on-form at the minute. I think Tony Kelly has to start and Mark Rodgers and Declan Hannon will be interesting.

DO YOU EXPECT LIMERICK OR CLARE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING XV?

Tony Kelly is the only change I can see. Any other change is probably going to be injury enforced. Apart from that I don’t see too many changes. Clare and Limerick both have settled sides.

WHO WILL WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

How can you back against a side going for their sixth Munster title in-a-row but that’s not discrediting Clare at all. I just think Limerick have an edge on Clare. Limerick look like they’re in a good place and they very rarely lose matches.

COULD WE SEE LIMERICK AND CLARE MEETING LATER ON IN THE YEAR?

It’s very possible. The reason why it’s very possible is that these two teams have been most consistent teams in Munster for the last three years. Clare have definitely gotten stronger and have filled the gaps. Going on last three years, it’s very likely that Clare and Limerick could meet in an All-Ireland final.

Paul Shaughnessy (Leader Sports reporter)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

Whenever these two sides meet, they always produce an epic encounter. A sold-out Thurles and the Munster senior hurling championship final is one the biggest days in the Irish sporting calander. I expect this Sunday to be no different between Limerick and Clare and for the game to go right down to the wire.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

They’re key match-ups all the over the field. Aaron Gillane and Conor Cleary are likely to have another Titanic tussle, In the first round of the championship, Dan Morrissey marked Shane O’Donnell and we are likely to see that match-up again. David Fitzgerald has been chipping in with scores from midfield, Cian Lynch could be given the task to mark Fitzgerald. Gearoid Hegarty caused Clare huge problems in Ennis and it will be vital for Brian Lohan’s side to get that match-up right.

DO YOU EXPECT LIMERICK OR CLARE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING XV?

I don’t think Clare are in position to leave Tony Kelly on the bench, I would expect him to start. For Limerick, I think Seamus Flanagan will be up against it to start on Sunday with the hamstring injury he picked up against Waterford. If Flanagan misses this game through injury, I would expect Shane O’Brien to come into the starting XV.

WHO WILL WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

It’s very hard to back against Limerick. Limerick have the edge on Clare in Munster finals, I think Limerick have been improving every game but I’m sure you could say the same about Clare, so that’s why expect Limerick to win.

COULD WE SEE LIMERICK AND CLARE MEETING LATER ON IN THE YEAR?

No matter what result on Sunday, I expect Limerick to be in the All-Ireland final. It will very hard for Clare to come back from a defeat on Sunday. It feels like now is the time for Clare to deliver silverware in the championship.

Tom Condon (Former Limerick hurler)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

You’d be expecting fireworks anyway! The pressure is off both teams, they’re through to the All-Ireland series. It’s a chance to throw off the shackles and have a go. Limerick and Clare over the last few years have always been tight and hard fought games. It has the makings of another classic.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

I suppose one that will stand out is who will curtail Shane O’Donnell. He’s been one of the form players in the championship. Does John Kiely detail someone to man-mark him? I presume Barry Nash will be given the role. At the other end, the match-up between Aaron Gillane and Conor Cleary.

DO YOU EXPECT LIMERICK OR CLARE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING XV?

The rumours are that Sean Finn and Darragh O’Donovan are close to 100 per cent fitness. It will be interesting to see will John Kiely stick with the same XV or does he experiment? I wouldn’t be expecting to many if any but maybe Shane O’Brien might get the start.

WHO WILL WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

Your heart would always say Limerick. I still expect Limerick to go ahead and win on Sunday. Limerick know they have it in tank and against Clare they won it in the end and whether that’s after leaving a few scars mentally with Clare, I’m just not too sure. Are Clare able to close out games?

COULD WE SEE LIMERICK AND CLARE MEETING LATER ON IN THE YEAR?

It’s always a possibility. A common trend with Clare over the last couple of years, once they have gotten out of Munster, they’ve failed to reach the heights or performances that they’ve given in Munster. They’ve always seemed to get caught out in the All-Ireland series. On form, you’d be saying Limerick, Clare and Cork and you’d be fancying to see them in the latter end of the All-Ireland series.

Seanie McGrath (Former Cork hurler)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

The evidence is there over the last couple of years. They’re normally unbelievable battles and they’re two really evenly matched teams. An unbelievable rivalry that goes back to underage and school games. These games take on a life of their own. Both teams have huge aspirations for an All-Ireland title not just a provincial title.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MATCH-UPS BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CLARE?

If Clare can get it right in their half forward line and test the Limerick half back line. Maybe at times, Clare’s full back line can be taken on and the form of Aaron Gillane could decide this game.

WHO WILL WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

There’s going to be nothing in it. Clare will feel that it’s their year. I just think Limerick are coming right at the right time and I think they’ll win it.

COULD WE SEE LIMERICK AND CLARE MEETING LATER ON IN THE YEAR?

The standards are getting closer and closer, I do think Limerick are that edge ahead of everyone but the gap is closing. There’s no doubt about it that it could be Limerick and Clare All-Ireland final. I would hope it’s not, but there’s every chance of it.