Good afternoon all. After the climax of yesterday’s action in Leinster, we’re turning our attention to all things Munster.
Tipperary sit top of the table unbeaten and unbowed with six points from six and +38 points difference – the best of the remaining four counties.
They take on Limerick, fresh off the back of their resounding 18-point win at at the LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick last Sunday.
The Banner will be hoping to bounce back as they take on Cork in the day’s other game and we’ll be following all the action right here.
Throw-in for both games is 2pm and we’ll know by the end of today’s action who will meet in the Munster final on 30 June.
It’s still all to play for in Munster.
As we’ve said, Tipperary are top with three wins from three and six points to their name.
Below them, Cork and Limerick are both locked on four points apiece, while Clare remain further behind on two points after last week’s tonking against John Kiely’s side.
You can find the permutations before this afternoon’s game from our piece published during the week.
Liam Sheedy’s Tipp will fancy themselves to make it to the Munster final but could miss out if they lose to Limerick and Cork beat Clare. A win will guarantee their place.
A victory for Limerick will guarantee them a Munster final berth, while Cork could make it to 30 June’s decider if they win and if Limerick lose or draw.
Let’s get to the team news then and we’ll keep you posted if there’s any late changes.
Liam Sheedy has drafted in a pair of defenders to his full-back line with James Barry and Seán O’Brien both handed starting spots.
2018 All-Ireland U21 winner Jake Morris is given the chance to impress with a place in attack.
Tipperary
1. Brian Hogan (Lorrha-Dorrha)
2. Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill)
3. James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane)
4. Seán O’Brien (Newport)
5. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
6. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
7. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
8. Michael Breen (Ballina)
9. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
10. Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha)
11. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
12. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg)
13. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
14. Séamus Callanan (Drom-Inch – captain)
15. Jason Forde (Silvermines)
John Kiely, meanwhile, makes four alterations to his side for today’s game.
Among the notable changes team captain Declan Hannon and last season’s Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch make way along with the attacking pair of Gearoid Hegarty and Graeme Mulcahy.
Dan Morrissey comes in at centre-back, Darragh O’Donovan selected at midfield, Shane Dowling named at wing-forward and Seamus Flanagan drafted in at full-forward.
Limerick
1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)
2. Sean Finn (Bruff)
3. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
4. Richie English (Doon)
5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
6. Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
7. Paddy O’Loughlin (Kilmallock)
8. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
9. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)
10. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
11. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
13. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
14. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon)
15. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
Cork remain unchanged after their win over Waterford.
Cork
1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk)
2. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)
3. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
4. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons)
5. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers)
6. Mark Ellis (Millstreet)
7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)
8. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)
10. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields)
11. Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s – captain)
12. Luke Meade (Newcestown)
13. Alan Cadogan (Douglas)
14. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
15. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
Clare, meanwhile, make one switch.
Diarmuid Ryan is named to start in attack at wing-forward and Aron Shanagher selected on the bench.
Clare
1. Donal Tuohy (Crusheen)
2. Patrick O’Connor (Tubber – captain)
3. David McInerney (Tulla)
4. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)
5. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
6. Jack Browne (Ballyea)
7. Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
8. Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)
9. Colm Galvin (Clonlara)
10. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quinn)
11. Tony Kelly (Ballyea – captain)
12. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
13. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg)
14. John Conlon (Clonlara)
15. Podge Collins (Cratloe)
An sign of things to come?
We’ve got all the Munster MHC scores right here:
- Tipperary 1-15 - 3-24 Limerick
- Cork 2-11 – 0-18 Clare
Three changes for Clare this afternoon.
Jason and Aidan McCarthy come into the starting line-up this afternoon, while Seadna Morey also comes into the action.
David Fitzgerald, Shane Golden and Podge Collins are all out.
Cork remain unchanged.
Liam Sheedy tells RTÉ as the All-Ireland champions come to town: “For us, it’s just another game, throughout the Championship we’ve only really focused on ourselves.
“We’re really looking forward to it… It’s a good chance to understand where the panel is at.”
Tipperary and Limerick line out as named.
Ready for action: Cork manager John Meyler arrives at Cusack Park.
Just moments away from throw-in.
A moments applause will take place for Johnny McGrath, the 1958 All Ireland winner, and Jimmy Noonan at Semple Stadium.
We’re underway in today’s action
Tipperary 0-00 Limerick 0-01
Shane Dowling slots over for Limerick.
Clare 1-01 Cork 1-00
Patrick Horgan and Shane O’Donnell exchange early goals in at Cusack Park.
Clare 1-01 Cork 1-02
Patrick Horgan slots over for Cork to put them ahead.
At Semple, John McGrath misses a good goal opportunity.
Tipperary 0-00 Limerick 0-02
Aaron Gillane adds a point for Limerick to extend their lead.
Clare 1-03 Cork 1-02
Anthony Nash makes a saves for Cork.
In Semple, Tom Morrisey sends an effort wide for Limerick.
Tipperary 0-01 Limerick 0-02
Jason Forde gets Tipp’s first score after 10 minutes of play.
Tipperary 0-04 Limerick 0-02
Four on the spin for Tipperary as they take the lead at Semple, Seamus Callanan adds the latest.
Tipperary 0-05 Limerick 0-02
Jason Forde slots over another point from a free. Sean Finn yellow carded for his troubles.
Tipperary 0-05 Limerick 0-03
Aaron Gillane adds another for Limerick, their first point in about 10 minutes.
Tipperary 0-05 Limerick 0-04
Another good bit of work from Limerick, Gillane slots another free and the Treaty County cut the gap to a point. Two scores on the bounce for him and Limerick.
Tipperary 0-06 Limerick 0-05
Padraic Maher slots over for Tipperary from distance. Diarmaid Byrnes responds with a point for Limerick.
Tippearary 0-09 Limerick 0-06
Forde again scores for Tipp, Gillane answers with a free for Limerick.
Tipperary 0-10 Limerick 0-06
Another for Forde from the dead ball on the sideline.
Casey sends it wide for Limerick.
Tipperary 0-10 Limerick 0-06
Alan Flynn comes in for Cathal Barrett, hamstring issue it appears.
Clare 1-10 Cork 1-05
John Conlon slots over again for Clare – five the gap in Ennis.
Clare 2-10 Cork 1-07
Tony Kelly finds the net for Clare to extend their lead. Horgan adds a point for Cork.
HT: Tipperary 0-12 Limerick 0-08
A late flurry before the break, Tipperary add two scores, while Gillane slots another free just before half time.
HT: Clare 2-10 Cork 1-08
A late first-half goal from Tony Kelly sees Clare go in at the break with a five-point lead.
In the midst of the first-half action in Ennis, Gerry O’Connor of the Clare management team has been sent to the stands for an altercation with players on the pitch.
As it stands, Tipperary and Limerick would go through to the Munster final, with Cork’s scoring difference keeping them progressing in third.
We’re back underway for the second half…
Noel McGrath with an early wide for Tipp.
Tipperary 0-12 Limerick 0-10
Gillane again for Limerick – Nicky Quaid makes a brilliant stop down the other end to keep Tipp out.
Graeme Mulcahy scores for Limerick. Gap is two.
Tipperary 1-12 Limerick 0-11
GOAL! Seamus Callanan scores for Tipperary.
Tom Morrisey scores for Limerick in answer.
Clare 2-10 Cork 1-11
Horgan adds two for Cork to drag the Rebels back into it after the break. Cadogan adds another.
Tipperary 1-13 Limerick 0-12
Gillane slots over another free to keep Limerick in touch.
Tipperary 1-14 Limerick 0-13
Jason Forde with another point from the dead ball. Morrisey responds in kind.
Clare 2-11 Cork 1-12
Cork continue to close the gap, Cadogan and Horgan (2) with the points. Peter Duggan adds one for Clare.
Tipperary 1-14 Limerick 0-14
Just a goal separates the sides after Gillane’s free.
Tipperary 1-15 Limerick 0-14
John McGrath scores for Tipperary to reinstate their four-point lead.
Tipperary 1-16 Limerick 0-14
Noel McGrath scores from distance.
Clare 2-13 Cork 1-12
Tipperary 1-16 Limerick 0-15
Aaron Gillane with another free for Limerick.
Limerick Sub:
Pat Ryan on for Peter Casey.
Tipperary 1-17 Limerick 0-16
Jason Forde from the sideline with a point for Tipp, keeping Limerick just out of reach.
Gillane makes no mistake from the dead ball to respond.
Tipperary 1-18 Limerick 0-16
Cian Lynch comes on for Limerick as Tipp stretch their lead.
Clare 2-17 Cork 1-14
Colm Galvin scores for Clare, as does Diarmuid Ryan. Horgan’s point precedes this series of scores.
The gap is six points in Ennis.
Tipperary 1-18 Limerick 0-17
Tom Morrisey scores for Limerick. Four the gap between the side here at Semple Stadium.
Tipp with two wides on the bounce.
Tipperary 1-19 Limerick 0-17
Tipp hit another wide, three on the trot. Limerick defence holding firm.
Callanan finally settles Tipp with a point.
Tipperary 1-20 Limerick 0-18
’65 is converted for Limerick.
David Reidy on for Kyle Hayes – Limerick sub.
Tipperary score with Jason Forde.
Clare 2-18 Cork 2-17
Seamus Harnedy with a point for Cork and a GOAL! for Patrick Horgan.
The gap is one point!
Tipperary 1-22 Limerick 0-20
Tipp extend their lead. Limerick have a goal chance with Pat Ryan but it’s blocked.
Byrnes slots over the resulting ’65.
Four minutes added on.
Clare 2-20 Cork 2-17
Galvin and Duggan score points for Clare to reinstate a three point gap. Closing stages there now as well.
FT: Tipperary 1-22 Limerick 0-21
Lynch adds a late score for Limerick.
Both sides will meet in the Munster final on 30 June.
Clare 2-21 Cork 2-18
Into the closing stages at Cusack Park.
Patrick Horgan scores for Cork.
FT: Clare 2-23 Cork 2-18
Cork progress in third with Clare crashing out despite their victory today.
So we now know out Munster final line-up:
Tipperary v Limerick on 30 June.
Cork progress to the All-Ireland series, while Clare’s season comes to an end.
Here’s how the standings finished up:
That’s all from us here this afternoon, thanks for following.
I know he’s a good looking guy but creaming him is a bit much
“Do the welfare?, do the welfare?, do the welfare know you’re playing?, doooo the welfare know you’re playing? “. Ian Bermingham captain fantastic omitted to add his dole fraud during 2011, 2012 & 2013 for which he was convicted.
@Michael McLoughlin: Fake news. He wasn’t convicted. He repaid the money in full (€4512) and the judge struck out the case. http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/soccer-star-avoids-conviction-for-claiming-4k-dole-while-working-31554451.html
Very nice piece Aaron. In a greatest Pat’s 11 not many would suggest other challengers to the No 3 jersey worn by Ian Bermingham.
He’s won 4 champions leagues
@James Baxter: 3 with the La Liga club as stated