FOLLOWING the completion of round six of the National Hurling League, the semi-final line-up is complete. Holders Limerick will run up against Kilkenny while Clare will clash with Tipperary.
The Limerick-Kilkenny tie has been confirmed for Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday next (March 23, 4.30pm), while Clare and Tipp will meet at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, the following afternoon from 4pm.
Both fixtures are ‘winner on the day’, which could mean extra time and penalties to decide a result.
The final is fixed for a fortnight later.
Limerick finished top of 1B following a gritty draw (0-17 each) with Galway at Pearse Stadium, Salthill. The visitors were down a player for most of the journey following a red-card issued to Shane O’Brien.
Galway were 0-12 to 0-9 at the interval, and with a numerical advantage were fancied to win. Limerick, however, were a determined outfit in the closing half and some superb scores from the likes of Diarmaid Byrnes, Tom Morrissey, and the brilliant Adam English helped ensure a share of the spoils for John Kiely’s side.
In a restructured league, next season’s Division 1 contestants are Limerick, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Wexford.
Each county will have three home and away fixtures.
