FOLLOWING on quickly from the sensational opening round comeback win over Clare at Cusack Park, Limerick will be looking to make quick work of Tipperary in the TUS Gaelic Grounds in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday (4pm).
It’s the first fixture at the venue in quite some time, following some remedial works at the grounds and there is little to suggest other than a second win on the bounce for six-in-a-row (Munster title) seeking Limerick.
Such is the feel-good factor around, an attendance of well north of 30,000 is anticipated at the Ennis Road grounds.
At the weekend, rapid-fire goals around the hour mark from Aaron Gillane (2) and debutant Donnacha Ó Dalaigh turned the contest completely in Limerick’s favour.
While goals win games, so also do saves and on that front Limerick’s Nickie Quaid – playing in his 40th Championship outing – was also superb, highlighted by a series of blinding opening-half blocks.
Wining manager John Kiely said that “the impact of the bench (Ó Dalaigh/Conor Boylan/Adam English in particular) has to be the biggest piece of the day for us. All the lads that came on gave us energy, gave us possession, gave us line breaks, gave us chances, gave us scores, they gave us everything.”
Limerick will again be without Darragh O’Donovan and quite possibly Mike Casey (who limped off in Ennis), but will have Peter Casey back from suspension.
Tipp have been absent from the scene since the disappointing National League semi-final loss to eventual winners Clare.
Back then Premier boss Liam Cahill said: “I have to really get behind these players now. They don’t become bad hurlers after one 70 minutes in the middle of March. Our goals was always April 28 (v Limerick). That’s what we are aiming for.”
In the curtain-raiser (2pm), Limerick entertain Waterford in the Munster Senior Camogie Championship, with the winners to face Tipperary in the semi-final in Mallow the following weekend.
Limerick are managed by two-time All-Star goalkeeper Joe Quaid.
Liam Gordon (Galway) will referee.
