12 months ago the world was a vastly different place with the threat of the coronavirus majorly overlooked in Europe.
Almost exactly two months prior to the closure of schools, universities and creches due to the virus, the Limerick senior hurlers and footballers would claim pre season honours in a brilliant night at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.
The footballers were to host Cork in the evening’s opening game in the McGrath Cup final. Limerick had beaten Waterford and Clare either side of New Years Day to book their place in the final against the Rebels.
McGrath Cup Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020Cork vs Limerick
Limerick players prepare for the second half
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton
Having waited fifteen years for a title in the competition, Limerick started with intent and were 0-12 to 0-8 to the good at the short whistle against the pre match favourites.
After missing the 2019, Danny Neville would prove the difference as his total of 0-7 pulled Limerick clear as they maintained the gap to the final whistle to earn a 0-20 to 0-16 victory.
Lee’s side would go on to capture National League honours in October before reaching the Munster semi-final for the second consecutive year.
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McGrath Cup Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick players prepare for the second half
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
McGrath Cup Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Michael Donovan in action against Cork’s Paul Ring
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
McGrath Cup Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Tommy Griffin challenges Cork’s Ian Maguire in the air
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
11 January 2020; Limerick players pose for the pre-match squad photograph before the McGrath Cup Final match between Cork and Limerick at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
11 January 2020; Iain Corbett of Limerick gets away from Tadhg Corkery of Cork during the McGrath Cup Final match between Cork and Limerick at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
McGrath Cup Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Iain Corbett and Donal O’Sullivan with the McGrath Cup
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
11 January 2020; Danny Neville of Limerick in action against Cian Kiely, left, and Thomas Clancy of Cork during the McGrath Cup Final match between Cork and Limerick at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
McGrath Cup Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Tommy Griffin challenges Cork’s Ian Maguire in the air
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
11 January 2020; Limerick manager Billy Lee before the McGrath Cup Final match between Cork and Limerick at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
11 January 2020; Danny Neville of Limerick signals to take an advanced mark during the McGrath Cup Final match between Cork and Limerick at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
McGrath Cup Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Iain Corbett in action
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton
The hurlers would follow in the example of their counterparts as they put Cork to the sword in a dominant Munster Hurling League Final.
Cork started brightly, but Aaron Gillane’s goal was the difference at the half as John Kiely’s men lead by 1-14 to 0-14.
They would take control of the game in the second half and would ultimately run out convincing 1-32 to 0-20 winners.
It was Limerick’s third successive win to start 2020 as they ended the year with the perfect 13 as they picked up League, Munster and All-Ireland medals.
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Co-op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Cian Lynch raises the cup at the end
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
11 January 2020; Seán Finn of Limerick in action against Brian Turnbull of Cork during the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League Final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
Co-op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Referee Kevin Jordan cautions Limerick’s Aaron Gillane
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
11 January 2020; David Reidy of Limerick, supported by team-mate Graeme Mulcahy, left, in action against Eoin Cadogan, 3, and Chris O’Leary of Cork during the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League Final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
Co-op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Aaron Gillane beats Cork’s Eoin Cadogan to the ball
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
11 January 2020; Darragh O’Donovan of Limerick in action against Aidan Walsh of Cork during the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League Final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
Co-op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Robbie Hanley and Cork’s Conor Lehane
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
11 January 2020; Limerick manager John Kiely, left, with Cork manager Kieran Kingston after the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League Final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
11 January 2020; Limerick manager John Kiely before the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League Final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
11 January 2020; Aaron Gillane of Limerick during the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League Final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile -
Co-op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Aaron Gillane beats Cork’s Eoin Cadogan to the ball
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton -
Co-op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League Final, LIT Gaelic Grounds, Co. Limerick 11/1/2020
Cork vs Limerick
Limerick’s Aaron Gillane taunts Cork’s Eoin Cadogan after scoring a goal
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton
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