THE SCENE IS set for what promises to be a titanic Munster senior hurling semi-final between Limerick and Clare at Semple Stadium.
The stakes are high as Limerick aim to book a place in the provincial decider for the first time in three years, while Clare haven’t contested a Munster final since 2008.
Here, we take a look at some main factors ahead of the Thurles tussle…
1. A recent rivalry renewed
Clare and Limerick have seen plenty of each other in recent years.
They met in League and championship in 2016, Clare beating the Shannonsiders in Ennis to secure promotion from Division 1B, before securing a 0-19 to 0-15 victory in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
Prior to that, it’s been a tit-for-tat championship rivalry. Limerick beat Clare in the 2015 Munster championship but in 2013, Clare won the All-Ireland semi-final meeting between the counties.
In 2012, Limerick won in the qualifiers, in 2008 it was a Clare win in the Munster semi-final and in 2007, Limerick won the All-Ireland quarter-final meeting.
On known form, there might not be a lot to separate the sides at full-time.
Clare were lucky to avoid relegation from Division 1A while Limerick lost to Galway, many people’s All-Ireland favourites, by ten points in the League semi-final.
2. Low profile an advantage for Clare?
With Davy Fitzgerald in charge of Clare, the Banner County were box office material.
This year, there hasn’t been much talk about them as joint-managers Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney have gone about their business in a generally quiet manner.
Clare won three of their six Allianz League matches, two in the group stages against Kilkenny and Dublin and that relegation play-off victory over the Dubs.
They lost to Cork, Tipperary and Waterford by an aggregate 16 points but O’Connor and Moloney have placed their full emphasis on ensuring that their players peak during the summer.
Since winning the All-Ireland title in 2013, Clare have struggled to make summer headway but with the former All-Ireland U21 winning managers at the helm, the hope is that the senior team can go deep into this summer’s championship.
3. Familiarity does not breed contempt
So many of these Clare players know Moloney and O’Connor well from their U21 days.
But the same can also be said of Limerick, as their current senior manager John Kiely was boss in 2015 when the Shannonsiders claimed Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 glory.
Kiely was also a selector in 2013 alongside manager John Kiely, when Limerick were crowned Munster senior champions.
Kiely was charged with reviving Limerick’s fortunes at senior level, taking the job after initially insisting that he would resist any overtures from county board bosses.
His hopes of masterminding League promotion were scuppered on the opening day, when Limerick lost to Wexford, but they did beat Cork in the League quarter-final, before losing out to Galway.
Now, it’s championship time and while Kiely’s had to contend with a big injury list recently, he’ll still expect big things from the 15 players who start against Clare, and the subs he introduces.
4. How will Limerick deal with Tony Kelly?
Kelly was Young Hurler and Hurler of the Year in 2013, and inspirational for his club Ballyea as they stormed to county and Munster glory last year.
But Kelly was shut down by Cuala in the All-Ireland club final at Croke Park, and held scoreless.
Cuala deployed John Sheanon at midfield in a man-marking role on Kelly and it worked.
Limerick manager John Kiely will surely have similar plans in place to deal with Kelly, who will wreak havoc if he’s given too much space.
But Limerick know that they can’t afford to pay too much attention to Kelly, as Clare have other top forwards at their disposal.
Conor McGrath should come into the championship fresh after recovering from shoulder surgery while Clare also have the likes of John Conlon, Podge Collins and Aron Shanagher in attack.
5. Are either of these sides All-Ireland contenders?
First of all, neither of these teams can afford to look much further than Sunday.
But the prize for victory is huge – a passage to a Munster final with Waterford or Cork on July 9, and an All-Ireland quarter-final spot.
There’s so much riding on this game and victory for either, and the nature of it, could see them labelled as All-Ireland dark horses.
Looking clinically at both, it would appear that Clare are better equipped to launch an All-Ireland assault.
They were champions in 2013 but Clare haven’t won the Munster title since 1998.
Limerick were Munster kingpins four years ago but their All-Ireland famine dates back to 1973. If they hit top form, both teams are capable of making inroads well into the summer but a lot depends on this Munster semi-final.
With Tipperary out of provincial reckoning, their conquerors Cork, Waterford, Clare and Limerick will all feel they have a shot at winning the title.
Whoever emerges from the Munster minefield intact will have a straight route to an All-Ireland semi-final, and you wouldn’t back against Clare doing it.
Big stars to shine?
We’ve already referenced Tony Kelly but Clare have other big-name stars who can make an impact.
David McInerney at full-back is a player to watch out for, as the Tulla man missed much of last year with a back injury.
Clare have a very decent spine if, as anticipated, they line out with McInerney at full-back, Conor Cleary in the centre back position, Colm Galvin at midfield, Podge Collins in the centre forward slot and Aron Shanagher at full-forward.
The absence through injury of Diarmaid Byrnes robs Limerick of real physicality in their half-back line and he was the only player from the county to earn an All-Star nomination last year.
Limerick are expected to have Richie McCarthy and Declan Hannon in the central defensive positions, while they’ll also look for big displays from Shane Dowling and Cian Lynch in attack.
Overall, Clare look to have the better blend and we’re tipping them to get the job done, and advance to a Munster final next month.
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There were many standout moments this year, many players that stepped up to the mark but for me the one player who epitomized all the good things about Leinster is Robbie Henshaw. Himself and Ringrose make Leinsters and Ireland’s best centre pairing and consistently deliver a quality of performances not matched by others either here or abroad. Long may it continue.
My wish for 2021? That we can get back to supporting our team. God I miss the RDS match days.
@Ro Molloy: so true
So if you include last seasons victories with this seasons, it something like 27 played and 26 wins. Which is an incredible stat.
@Greg Cavey: 28 out of 29 if you Champions Cup. That’s phenomenal. However they haven’t played any decent teams this yet this season. The lack of depth in most PRO14 squads makes it easy for them when the internationals are on.
Munster & Ulster are also too strong for most other PRO14 teams.
Leinster were convincing in Europe. Munster showed grit and hinted that real progress is being made. Ulster? More depth required & maybe more quality in some positions.
Playing in the PRO14 isn’t improving Leinster but maybe when the top SA teams join it will improve them & the other Irish provinces and therefore the national team.
@TL55: Why would they need to improve…They are the best in the league by far.
@Harry O’Callaghan: To beat the likes of Saracens, Exeter and Toulouse.
Leinster correctly want to the big fish in the big pond not just the little pond.
@Harry O’Callaghan: So champions cup quarter final losses are the acceptable Leinster standard now are they? Do you think Exeter aren’t looking to improve or will they just sit and wait for someone to take the champions cup and premiership from them?
@Kohn Jeenan: it’s acceptable to lose 1 game of rugby per season. This can happen if you can’t see the improvement year on year at leinster well your just not looking.
@Chris Mc: I didn’t say they aren’t improving though, they are, I was saying they definitely need to keep improving, since it was implied they don’t need to improve at all just for being the best club in the pro14….
@Chris Mc: do you not think leinster have some issues at the setpiece? Furlong should shore up the scrum but leinster still have a bit of a dependence on toner
@Tim Magner: the leinster lineout is very poor even with toner in it.
Any team who competes in the air will win a fair amount of leinster ball. Its hard to understand as Cullen was a very good lineout operator.
Its far too complicated, too many moving parts and as simple as it sounds putting toner (or Ryan) straight up at 2 often discourages teams from competing and as such makes ball to the back easier to win in the long run.
@Chris Mc: I just don’t think the leinster pack has improved since ’18. Back then they had probably the 2 best props in europe in furlong & healy, ryan was on fire, toner was 2 yrs younger, fardy was keeping lowe out of the hcup squad and leavy was at his best. Since then porter and doris have shown their mettle at international level and baird looks a serious prospect but I dont think the pack now is as good as it was
@Tim Magner: fair point, healy is not getting any younger and Jack is gone. Furlong will be back soon enough and porter is a fine prop.
Hooker we are in a better place and while Ryan is not playing as well as he was what’s coming through with baird Dunne and Moloney is getting better. The backrow is better now. Leavy is almost there and doris is firing, Conan, jvdf, connors, penny ruddock Murphy etc are all seriously pushing each other. This pack will gell over the next few months. Only real concern is at looshead.
@Chris Mc: yer by no means in a bad place, ye still have the best pack in the pro14. I think the 18 pack was the best in europe though. As you say though the 2 young hookers look the business, penny has the look of a class player and baird could be special so as a munster fan I know leinster are going nowhere
@Tim Magner: I guess time will tell with this lot. In fairness the munster pack is becoming a serious unit too. Bar kilcoyne your missing a front row but have a few younger ones who could step up but the likes of coombes JOD and Aherne all could really make the grade. Theres nothing like players who grew up wanting to play for a club.