LIMERICK'S indomitable hurlers made history at FBD Semple Stadium this Sunday when surging past Clare 1-26 to 1-20 to secure an unprecedented six Munster senior hurling titles in a row. A powerful second half display from the Shannonsiders, including a crucial goal from Gearoid Hegarty, helped the All-Ireland champions, who had been level with their opponents at half-time, retain the Mick Mackey Cup in some style. In so doing Limerick become the first side ever to win six provincial hurling titles on the bounce, a huge achievement for the players and backroom team under manager John Kiely.
This win also cements Limerick's place as favourites to complete a five-in-a-row of All-Ireland final wins later this summer. Twenty six-time Munster champions Limerick will now set their sights on an All-Ireland semi-final in four weeks' time on Sunday, July 7. This was the third year in a row that Limerick had defeated Clare in a Munster senior hurling final.
On a dramatic afternoon in Thurles, the throw-in time for the decider was delayed 30 minutes from the scheduled start time of 4pm due to a power outage. When he game did eventually begin, there were two changes to Clare's starting line-up from the selected team as the speculation over Tony Kelly all week ended with the Ballyea clubman replacing David Reidy in the Banner side's line-up. Elsewhere, Conor Leen, of Corofin, came in for Rory Hayes in defence.
Perhaps given how much was at stake for both sides the opening to this latest Mi.
