Saturday, January 23

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Munster Senior Hurling League Final

Limerick v Clare, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 7.30pm

Initially intended to be a final group game, with Limerick and Clare already through to the final of the competition it was decided to double this fixture up as the final. Both sides advanced having won each of their three games, though it should be noted that with Kerry stepping up a level and Waterford fielding a very young side in their first two games, Cork were the only other side to give the rebranded competition their full focus.

Clare, with lots of media attention on them following the addition of Donal Óg Cusack to their new-look backroom team, opened their campaign with a 1-14 to 0-14 defeat of Cork, Shane O’Donnell grabbing a late winning goal. That win set the tone for the Banner, who followed up with wins over Kerry (2-27 to 0-8) and Waterford (1-20 to 1-9), the strength of the sides Davy Fitzgerald has fielded a signal of their intent for the year.

The addition of the highly rated Paul Kinnerk to Fitzgerald’s backroom team is another bonus ahead of their Allianz League campaign – Clare begin life in Division IB with a game against Offaly on Valentine’s Day – but a serious injury to Pat Donnellan, which could rule the 2013 captain out of the season, is a potentially serious blow.      

With both Limerick and Clare in Division IB this year, competition for promotion to the top tier will be fierce, with the sides’ Allianz League meeting on March 20 in Cusack Park set to play a huge part in deciding who joins the elite in 2017.

With victories over Waterford (3-16 to 1-17) and Cork (3-17 to 0-18) already in the bag, Limerick are making the right noises ahead of their latest attempt to release themselves from their IB purgatory. Donal O’Grady, Munster Championship winning captain in 2013, confirmed his retirement during the week, a clear indication that TJ Ryan intends to make good on his promise to bring in the cream of the talent from the 2014 minor and 2015 U21 sides. It looks like the Shannonsiders will have a new look about them this year.

Youngsters Tom Morrissey (1-1) and Barry Nash both got a run in the midweek win over Waterford – who fielded a much stronger side than in earlier games – while David Reidy hit an impressive 1-5 in a victory that sets up an early season meeting both sides will be very keen to flex their muscles in.    

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