Limerick impress in rout of Clare but Cork hurlers are in strong position to reach Munster final
Aidan O'Connor of Limerick celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during Sunday's Munster SHC game against Clare at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg. Picture: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Pigeons, meet Mr Cat – regular colleagues when it comes to the Munster Senior Hurling Championship.
A sneak behind the curtain, if you will – that opening line was written on Saturday night as the broad structure of this article was put together.
Such was the knife-edge nature of Sunday’s clash at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg between Clare and Limerick that any one of the three possible outcomes was going to increase the drama in some direction. It was quite the luxury for those of us with Cork leanings to be able to watch on, four points already safely secured, even if it was at the expense of a couple of major defensive injuries.
The discourse for the coming week will be dominated by the question of who wears the number 3 and 6 jerseys for Ben O’Connor’s side at Azzurri Walsh Park on Saturday evening, but it is a debate that will place against the backdrop of the Rebels having the Munster final within touching distance.
At the halfway point in the round-robin campaign, with each county having played twice, the Rebels lead the way with four, followed by Clare and Limerick on two each after the Shannonsiders made light of their perceived difficulties to demolish their neighbours in Ennis.
Tipperary and Waterford are on a point each following their draw on Suirside last week; still well in the race to progress to the All-Ireland series but with a margin for error that is vanishingly thin.
Without the injured Aaron Gillane and suspended Cian Lynch, there was a sense that Limerick were vulnerable as they made the short journey up the road, especially as Clare had scored 2-33 in beating Waterford. Of course, that victory over the Déise was only by three points, with the visitors having taken the Banner County for four goals.
From the off on Sunday, Limerick sought to attack that defensive openness and once they had control, they were never likely to relinquish it.
The upshot of it all is that Cork go to Waterford on Saturday evening knowing that they can secure a place in the All-Ireland series with a game to spare and such a result would almost guarantee a place in the Munster final; however, their opponents will be battling to stay alive. While Cork don’t have the jeopardy of elimination, it will certainly be a proper championship affair.
An output of 1-18 on Sunday for Clare certainly gives them something to work on ahead of their next outing, a week later – for the second year in a row, they will face Tipperary in a loser-takes-nothing game.
That matchup can be discounted as a potential Munster final for this year – it was one of seven (of a total of 10 possibilities) which would take place at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Had Clare won on Sunday, a clash between them and Cork, repeating the 2017 and 2018 deciders, would have been where the smart money went – it would have meant a return to TUS Gaelic Grounds, which would also hold a Cork-Waterford final, which could happen but is unlikely.
The only instance where FBD Semple Stadium would host the final would be if Tipperary and Limerick were to meet – the counties have a home-and-away arrangement and their last such encounter was in Thurles in 2019 (Páirc Uí Chaoimh was the venue in 2021, when Covid meant that all games were at neutral venues).
There is of course a lot of hurling between now and the decider on Sunday, June 7 – and things are finely poised.
Cork v Limerick, Cork v Tipperary, Clare v Limerick, Clare v Tipperary, Clare v Waterford, Limerick v Waterford, Tipperary v Waterford.
Cork v Clare, Cork v Waterford.
Tipperary v Limerick.
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