Limerick are Munster Hurling Champions for the fourth year in a row

Munster hurling champions – Limerick were crowned Munster hurling champions for the fourth year running after an epic 1-29 to 0-29 extra-time victory over Clare at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday, June 5.

The result will see Limerick go straight to the All-Ireland semi-finals

By I Love Limerick correspondent Ava O’Donoghue

Limerick were crowned Munster Hurling Champions for the fourth year running after an epic 1-29 to 0-29 extra-time victory over Clare at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Monday, June 6.

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It was a tough battle between the local rivals, with Clare taking an initial lead with three points from Tony Kelly, Peter Duggan and Ryan Taylor before Limerick bounced back with scores from Aaron Gillane and Seamus Flanagan, making the sides level.

After being set up by Sean Finn, Tom Morrissey put one over the bar, but Tony Kelly bounced back and evens the score. This nail-biting back and forth of scores was to set a precedent for the remainder of the game. 

With 20 minutes on the clock, Clare hit Limerick once more putting the yellow and blue’s at a two point advantage, but in the 28th minute former Hurler of the Year Gearóid Hegarty scored a skillful and crucial goal, leading to the scoreboard showing an even 1-11 to 0-14 at half-time. 

Play was just as tense throughout the second half, with Gillane and Kelly consistently passing scores back and forth.

After a few wides from both teams, in the 53rd minute Limerick’s Darragh O’Donovan scooped up a breaking ball and gave the Treaty side a lead of 1-16 to 0-18. 

A stunning side-line cut from Tony Kelly in the final moment brought the match into thirty minutes of extra time, where Limerick showed a clear dominance over the Banner side, ultimately coming out on top with a great insurance score from William O’Donoghue.

Munster champions Limerick will now go straight into the All-Ireland semi-finals, while Clare will face either Kerry and Wexford in the quarter-finals. 

Limerick: Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Barry Nash, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey, William O’Donoghue, Darragh O’Donovan, Gearoid Hegarty, Cathal O’Neill, Tom Morrissey, Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Kyle Hayes, Nickie Quaid, Diarmaid Byrnes.

Clare: Éibhear Quilligan, Conor Cleary, Paul Flanagan, Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David Fitzgerald, David McInerney, David Reidy, Cathal Malone, Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell, Ryan Taylor, Peter Duggan, Ian Galvin, Rory Hayes.

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 For more information on the Munster Hurling Championship, go HERE