FOR the first time ever, Limerick will meet Waterford in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final this Sunday in Croke Park.
In a season like no other, it is fitting that this novel All-Ireland final pairing will bring to an end the unique championship that was 2020.
It will be the second meeting of the sides this Winter as Limerick came out on top, 0-25 to 0-21 in the Munster final in mid-November.
It was Limerick’s third successive championship win of 2020 as they beat Clare before overturning Tipperary in their respective quarter and semi-final ties.
The victory would also mark the first time Limerick retained their Munster crown since 1981.
Their opponents Waterford picked up a first Muster championship win since 2017 in their semi-final victory over Cork but fell at the last against John Kiely’s side despite being level at the final waterbreak.
Subsequently, the Deise would have to face Clare in the All-Ireland quarter-finals but despatched the Banner with relative ease, winning out 3-27 to 3-18 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
That booked their place in the semi-finals where they would meet Kilkenny who conquered Limerick at the same stage in 2017.
The writing looked to be on the wall for Waterford as they trailed 2-11 to 0-10 at half time. However, a glorious second half display saw them put up 2-17 as they had four to spare against the Cats and became the first side to book their place in the December 13 final.
The following day, Limerick joined them after outlasting Galway 0-27 to 0-24 in a bruising Croke Park encounter. As was the case in the Munster final, Limerick found themselves level late on before pulling clear down the stretch.
This will be Limerick’s second All-Ireland final appearance in three years as they bridged a 45-year gap since their last All-Ireland triumph in 2018 under Kiely.
Of the fifteen that started in Croke Park that day, thirteen featured from the start against Galway with Mike Casey out injured and Richie English back in the matchday squad after recovering from an ACL tear earlier in the year.
For Waterford, it will be a first All-Ireland final appearance since 2017, when they were beaten by three against Galway.
While there is a much greater turnover in Cahill’s side, seven players started both the 2017 decider and the semi-final win over Kilkenny.
Waterford will be appearing in just their 8th ever All-Ireland final and are without a win in the decider since 1959, losing in the finals in ’63, ’08 and ’17.
While it is a novel final pairing in the senior ranks, these sides have recent history in the minor grade as they memorably met in back to back Munster minor finals in 2013 and 2014 with both games going to a replay.
This fetch and score from Cian Lynch in the 2013 Munster Minor Final is just ridiculous.
The man’s always been different gravy
pic.twitter.com/YkXggLHCZR
— Jack Neville (@JackNev30) April 12, 2020
Those payers have become central figures for their counties in the intervening years with no fewer than 21 players from those sides now involved in the senior set ups.
While Limerick would gain the upperhand in both of those provincial finals, Waterford would end up All-Ireland winners in 2013, with Limerick falling in the 2014 decider.
The sides would win three All-Ireland U21 titles in a row midway through the 2010’s with Limerick accounting for the ’15 and ’17 titles while the Deise won out in 2016.
Current Limerick manager John Kiely was in charge for that 2015 triumph and is into his fourth season as senior manager that has seen him annex an All-Ireland, two Munster championships and two National League titles.
Opposite him on Sunday will be Liam Cahill who has revitalised the Deise in is first season at the helm. Cahill is looking for a fourth All-Ireland triumph in five years having won minor, U20 and U21 honours with his native Tipp in recent years.
The recent history between the sides does not bode well for Waterford however, as they are without a win against Limerick in their last three championship meetings under Kiely.
In the 2018 Munster championship, Limerick had thirteen to spare in a heavy defeat before a 2-24 to 0-10 hammering of the Deise in Walsh Park last summer.
As aforementioned, they had four to spare in the Munster final last month.
They also defeated Waterford in the National League final of 2019 in Croker before retaining that title against Clare in October.
Waterford’s last championship win over Limerick came in 2011 when they beat the Treaty by virtue of a late John Mullane goal in the Munster championship.
The last championship meeting of the sides in Croke Park was the memorable 2007 All-Ireland semi-final where Limerick would avenge the Munster final loss to win out 5-11 to 2-15 against the huge pre-match favourites.
This time around, Limerick will have to shoulder the favourites tag as they seek a perfect 13 competitive wins in 2020.
If they are to do so, they will first have to overcome the ferociously determined Waterford side who have grown in each game.
And if the Munster final was anything to judge by, there promises to be no more than a puck of a ball to separate the sides by the time Fergal Horgan calls time on the encounter.
Here’s hoping that Declan Hannon will be the one climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand shortly after that whistle.
Limerick play Waterford in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final this Sunday in Croke Park at 3.30pm.
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