Last Time Out | Kilkenny end Limerick’s unbeaten start to 2006 to claim the National League title

On that 2006 afternoon in Semple Stadium, it was goals that saw the pre game favorites over the line with Henry Shefflin finding the net twice.

Limerick and Kilkenny will do battle in this Sunday’s National Hurling League final, the first meeting of the sides in the Spring decider since 2006 when the Cats’ goal threat overpowered the Shannonsiders.

It was a fourth title in five years for Kilkenny and the kickstart of their four-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles as they would go on to beat Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Tipperary in successive years.

On that 2006 afternoon in Semple Stadium, it was goals that saw the pre game favorites over the line with Henry Shefflin, as he would in the All-Ireland final the following year, finding the net. It was the Ballyhale Shamrocks man that assisted the opening goal, setting Eoin Larkin free on 12 minutes to restore Kilkenny’s lead at 1-2 to 0-3.

Limerick had taken the early advantage with Barry Foley, in his first intercounty game in three years clipping over each of their 0-3.

Larkin’s goal somewhat curbed the momentum but the next score did come from the Shannonsiders, Brian Begley fending off JJ Delaney to point.

Conor Fitzgerald, who would end the day with 0-4 to his name, levelled proceedings closing in on the interval. But Shefflin struck for his first in the 36th minute to hand Kilkenny the half-time initiative, leading 2-4 to 0-7.

The sides went score for score to start the second half but Limerick began to edge their counterparts, reducing the gap to two points twenty minutes after the resumption.

However, Kilkenny put any Limerick hopes to bed in a four minute blitz, plundering 1-2 without reply as Shefflin again raised the green flag.

Michael Fennelly added to the tally from the bench and while Limerick had points from Foley, Fitzgerald and Niall Moran, they couldn’t breach the Kilkenny goal as they claimed a 13th League title.

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Scorers for Limerick: Barry Foley (0-6, 5frees), Conor Fitzgerald (0-04), Stephen Lucey (0-2), Brian Begley, Niall Moran (0-01 each).

Scorers for Kilkenny: Henry Shefflin (2-6, 3frees), Eoin Larkin (1-00), Aidan Fogarty, James Fitzpatrick (0-2 each), Michael Fennelly (0-01).

LIMERICK: Brian Murray; Damien Reale, TJ Ryan (capt), Mark Foley; Ollie Moran, Brian Geary, Denis Moloney; D Ryan, Doanl O’Grady; Mike O’Brien, Stephen Lucey, Conor Fitzgerald; Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Brian Begley, Brian Foley.

Subs used: Niall Moran for O’Brien (51 mins), Seamus Hickey for M Foley, Paul O’Grady for D O’Grady (both 62).

KILKENNY: James McGarry; Michael Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, Noel Hickey; Jackie Tyrrell (capt), John Tennyson, Tommy Walsh; Derek Lyng, Richie Mullally; Richie Power, Martin Comerford, Eoin Larkin; James Fitzpatrick, Henry Shefflin, Aidan Fogarty.

Subs used: Willie O’Dwyer for Power (38 mins), Michael Fennelly for Lyng (56).

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