Limerick and Kilkenny seek first blood for 2023 in National League final

Both teams have just one flaw on their resumé for 2023, Limerick’s opening round league loss to Cork while Tipperary bested the Cats.

The National Hurling League title is on the line this Sunday in Pairc Ui Chaoimh as last year’s All-Ireland finalists meet in a rematch of that epic.

Limerick came out on top last July and are the favourites to do so once more against the Cats on Leeside with throw in at 2pm. Both were extremely impressive in coming through their respective League semi-finals.

The Shannonsiders had six points to spare over Tipperary following a powerful third-quarter blitz at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. The next afternoon, Kilkenny booked their place with a similarly comprehensive victory over Cork.

Both teams have just one flaw on their resume for 2023, Limerick’s opening round league loss to Cork while Tipperary bested Kilkenny in their group clash.

Outside of that, each have been imperious with Limerick seeking a sixth successive win this year since the defeat on their last trip to Pairc Ui Chaoimh in early February.

John Kiely has been able to integrate two of his All-Stars that were absent from last year’s All-Ireland final back into the squad with Cian Lynch and Peter Casey both starting the semi-final.

Lynch was named the Hurler of the Week following the Tipperary victory while Casey was Limerick’s goal-getter on the night. Each will provide a unique challenge to the Cats after missing out on the final last July through injury.

Derek Lyng will have his own ace up his sleeve in the form of Billy Drennan who is set to make a first senior appearance against Limerick this Sunday. The Galmoy native first made himself known to the Treaty public with an eight point display (five from play) against the Limerick 20s in last year’s All-Ireland final. He has since gone on to prove his worth at the senior level as the League’s top scorer with 2-65 thus far.

Lyng could also spring All-Ireland winning trio Eoin Cody, TJ Reid and Adrian Mullen with the latter pairing yet to make a league appearance this year. Both were All-Stars in 2022.

And Lyng will be keen to lay down a marker in what is his first game in charge against the standard bearers. The Urlingford man was in midfield for the Cats 2007 All-Ireland final win over Limerick, their second on the trot in the midst of a four-in-a-row. This year, he along with the other contenders will be seeking to prevent John Kiely’s men from a similar feat.

And Sunday is the first chance for last year’s All-Ireland finalists to match up since that July day. Interestingly, Galway (13/2) are second favourites in the All-Ireland betting, just ahead of Kilkenny (7/1). Limerick are clear in that regard, priced at 8/11.

The importance of the clash will not be lost in either camp as the opportunity to get one up this early in the season is too good to pass down. Limerick are without a Spring title since their 2020 Munster Championship clash with Clare doubled up as the League final while Kilkenny’s wait stretches back to 2018.

That was a last national title for Kilkenny who haven’t won an All-Ireland title since 2015, after winning eight of the previous ten editions of the All-Ireland championship. Meanwhile, Limerick, under John Kiely, have won six since 2018 (four All-Ireland’s and two League’s) to completely alter the hurling landscape.

Kiely and co will be keen to add to their burgeoning collection while Kilkenny will be desperate to halt the Treaty juggernaut. It may only be April but the stakes are high heading to the Pairc.

Limerick face Kilkenny in the 2023 National Hurling League final on Sunday, April 10 at 2pm in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

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