Munster Hurling Final

THE new Mick Mackey Cup will be presented to Tony Kelly or Declan Hannon next Sunday evening in Thurles to spark wild celebration on one side of the river ...

We’ve read all about him but never realised what he meant to people until you see this trophy,” said Audrey to the guests in the Castle Oaks Hotel. We never really knew what he was until really now because I was the baby of the family. But remember, the season doesn’t end for Limerick or Clare in Thurles and any bragging rights may have to wait until later in the summer to be fully endorsed. With the Mick Mackey Cup’s debut, hopefully the omens will see the Limerick icon back home on the southern banks of the river Shannon on Sunday night. Before the footbridge was constructed, a teenage Mackey rowed across the river Shannon for matches and training with Clonlara. In 1930, Mackey made his Limerick senior hurling debut and played for 17 years. The daughter of the famed Limerick hurling icon Mick Mackey with divided loyalties!

A packed Semple Stadium is just what Clare and Limerick need.

The thing was, in the weeks prior to a game I was a glorified magpie. It added to the day. I could be in the middle of a drill and a nice ball would come into my hand. They are the best team in the country but not unbeatable. It was sport for the sake of sport and not sport as we know it. We got lost in a twister of jubilation and could then step into the eye of the storm to share a moment with the group. The crowd played a central part in my standout Munster final memory. A chance for the county to come together. If hurling is the conductor, they are the current. The worst I ever got was a bit of slagging. That day was one of the greatest sporting moments in my life. We are extremely fortunate in the GAA that supporters can come onto the field and be respectful.

ALL eyes on Shannonside will be firmly fixed on Thurles this Sunday as Limerick and Clare lock horns in the 2022 Munster senior hurling championship final.

It’s a seventh ever Limerick-Clare final - Limerick winners in 1918, '55, '74, '81 and '94, while Clare's only victory was in the last of the final meetings in 1995. However, there is little to separate Limerick and Clare on 2022 form. From 1917-1923, Limerick contested seven successive finals - winning three.

Gardaí are warning the public that tickets will be issued if they park illegally in Thurles for the Munster Hurling Final between Clare and Limerick.

It's the first Munster final meeting of Clare and Limerick since 1995, a time when both neighbours were regularly contesting provincial and All-Ireland ...

The fact that there will be 40,000 there tells you it still means a lot to Limerick and Clare supporters." "The question mark is that they drew with us in Ennis and the pressure wasn’t on them. They’re really working hard as a group and the spirit seems to be very good in the camp. "This is the real big test and will give us a gauge as to where we’re at. In fairness to Clare, they worked it to their advantage the last day." A rejuvenated Clare were the first team not to lose to Limerick in championship since Kilkenny in 2019. "That’s been a huge bonus because at the start of the season we weren’t certain. A first Munster title since 1998 and place in the All-Ireland semi-final would be a big statement. "That game was flat to the mat from start to finish. But it might not be coming to the surface as quickly as in our time. "I think our fitness stood to us and we wore them down in the second half. They’re probably back in the gym on Monday morning now!"

Can Clare stop their local rivals from winning a fourth title in a row at Semple Stadium? Follow the action with Eamon Donoghue . . .

Lose it, win it back, lose it again, win it back, lose it and then foul John Conlon as he comes out. Clare 0-0 Limerick 0-0 (1′) GAME ON! Limerick win the throw in. Limerick are aiming to extend their era of dominance with a fourth provincial championship in a row.