FOUR-IN-A-ROW seeking Limerick bump into 36-time winners Kilkenny in Sunday’s eagerly-awaited All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final at Croke Park (throw-in 3.30pm).
In a repeat of last year’s decider, and of spring’s League Final (also won by Limerick), this fascinating showdown represents a highlight of the summer sporting calendar.
Irrespective of the outcome, there is no question but that we are all living in the midst of legends.
“I’ve often said it to the lads, they don’t need any further success to demonstrate to them or me or anybody else that they are a great team,” stated Limerick manager John Kiely after the tremendous comeback semi-final defeat of Galway.
“They have been a fantastic bunch of men. They are, and will continue to be, a fantastic bunch of men, no matter what happens.”
Still, Kiely will be keen for his heroes to win a magnificent fifth All-Ireland title. With the Galbally masestro at the helm, Limerick have, remarkably, never lost a final, with four All-Irelands, five Munsters, and three league titles all won under his careful watch.
No doubt, he still aches from Kilkenny’s semi-final win of 2019, but for which Limerick would be now seeking a record six titles on the trot.
Limerick will give captain Declan Hannon every chance to make the cut ahead of team selection on Friday morning.
In Kilkenny, boss Derek Lyng knows that a “massive challenge” awaits but his troops will relish their underdogs tag.
Hurler of the Year elect Aaron Gillane has the potential to again emerge as Limerick’s hero, given his current brilliant goal-scoring ability. The same, however, can also be applied to the likes of Kilkenny’s Eoin Cody.
On that front, both Effin’s Nickie Quaid and Eoin Murphy of Glenmore will both have to be razor-sharp in their respective goalkeeping duties.
The contest will have some potential tasty match-ups, such as Dan Morrissey/TJ Reid; Barry Nash/Cody; Diarmaid Byrnes/Martin Keoghan; Darragh O’Donovan/Conor Fogarty; Gearóid Hegarty/Tommy Walsh; Gillane/Huw Lawlor and Peter Casey/Mikey Butler, to select just a few.
There will be television coverage on both RTÉ and BBC, while radio commentary will be across RTÉ Radio 1, Raidió na Gaeltachta and, of course, Live 95. A multitude of other platforms will also keep everyone up to speed on the happenings in the final of a what has been a riveting championship so far.
Verdict: Three points plus.
