GAA
John Kiely’s men etched their name into the history books as they made it three All-Ireland triumphs on the spin.
Limerick joined an illustrious list of counties to complete a three-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles yesterday as they defeated Kilkenny in a memorable decider.
After retaining the title for the first time ever in 2021, Limerick became the fourth country to make it three-in-a-row yesterday, joining Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary in that regard.
It was an incredible run to the championship with Limerick defeating that trio of teams as well as Clare, Waterford and Galway en route to the title.
The draw with Clare was the only slight blip with progression to the All-Ireland series confirmed prior to throw in, as was a place in the Munster final.
Last year, Limerick won their four championship games by nearly ten points on average but this year’s victory was achieved with more grit as each team brought their all to Kiely’s men.
But in the end, they stood tall in the face of any diversity as they continue to add to their already glowing resumé.
Limerick 2-25 : Cork 1-17 (Munster Hurling Championship Round 1)
17 April 2022 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Limerick put their league woes to bed with a tenth consecutive championship victory to kick off the 2022 campaign.
A pair of first half goals from Kyle Hayes and Aaron Gillane set the tone for Limerick who were comfortable 2-25 to 1-17 winners in the end.
However, it didn’t start that way for Limerick who trailed by a goal inside fifteen seconds as Shane Kingston fired to the net. Cork had the next pair of scores as they looked set to overturn the heavy defeat suffered in the All-Ireland final.
Limerick didn’t score until the 6th minute but by the 15th minute mark, Hayes had given them their first lead which was 2-9 to 1-8 at the interval.
Cork did level early in the second half but Limerick then powered clear, scoring ten of the next twelve points to ease any worries and get their season off to the perfect start with the eleven point victory.
Limerick 0-30 : Waterford 2-21 (Munster Hurling Championship Round 2)
23 April 2022 in TUS Gaelic Grounds
Limerick survived a late goal rush from Waterford to secure a second successive Munster championship win, this time a 0-30 to 2-21 result.
The Deise hit the ground running and hit over the first three scores of the evening while Barry Nash also made a goal stopping block.
Aaron Gillane got Limerick off the board but then lost Cian Lynch to injury as Waterford raced 0-8 to 0-3 ahead inside a quarter of an hour.
But with Lynch’s clubmates Gillane and Diarmaid Byrnes in fine scoring form, Limerick were 0-14 to 0-13 to the good at the interval.
There was little between the sides heading into the final quarter of an hour before a Limerick surge pushed them seven clear with as many to play.
But quickfire goals from Stephen Bennett and Jack Prendergast had the sides within one.
Limerick didn’t panic and insurance scores came from Pat Ryan and Byrnes to make it two from two.
Limerick 3-21 : Tipperary 0-23 (Munster Hurling Championship Round 3)
8 May 2022 in TUS Gaelic Grounds
Limerick made it three Munster championship wins on the trot in the TUS Gaelic Grounds as they beat Tipperary 3-21 to 0-23.
The Shannonsiders left it late to secure the win with goals in the final quarter from Aaron Gillane and Conor Boylan spoiling any chance of an upset.
Gillane goaled early in the first half but Tipp seemed primed and ready for the Limerick challenge as they led 1-9 to 0-14 at the interval.
Diarmaid Byrnes eventually levelled for Limerick with less than ten to play before the pair of goals killed off the Tipperary challenge.
The win booked Limerick’s passage to the All-Ireland series prior to the first encounter with Clare.
Clare 0-24 : Limerick 1-21 (Munster Hurling Championship Round 4)
15 May 2022 in Cusack Park
A brilliant tussle between Limerick and Clare ended in a stalemate as the result ensured a rematch in the Munster final three weeks later.
Kyle Hayes, positioned at full forward, netted after a quarter of an hour for Limerick but there was nothing to separate the sides at the break with the teams level at 1-12 to 0-15 in a half where no team led by more than a puck of the ball.
Tony Kelly, hit the last of his 16 points just ten minutes into the second half but the teams were still level when Gearoid Hegarty was controversially sent off with ten to play.
But with a man down, Diarmuid Byrnes came to the teams rescue with his ninth point to draw the sides level for the 14th time in the game with time in the red.
Limerick 1-29 : Clare 0-29 [AET] (Munster Hurling Championship Final)
5 June 2022 in Semple Stadium
Limerick claimed a fourth Munster title on the trot following an incredible 1-29 to 0-29 win after extra time against Clare.
A titanic encounter from start to finished wasn’t truly settled until the very last whistle when Clare pushed hard for an equalising goal.
The Banner started the better and were three clear before Gearoid Hegarty levelled with a brilliantly taken goal nearing the half with the sides level at the change of ends.
This trading of the the lead continued throughout the second half before MOTM Seamus Flanagan had Limerick 1-17 to 0-18 to the good with a quarter of an hour to play.
But Clare, didn’t relent and drew level nearing the final whistle.
Declan Hannon responded with a monstrous score with the clock firmly in the red but with a sideline ball from a seemingly impossible angle, Tony Kelly sent the game to added time.
But Limerick pushed on in the first period of additional time, moving into a three point lead that Clare could not claw back.
Limerick 0-27 : Galway 1-21 (All Ireland Hurling Semi-Final)
3 July 2022 in Croke Park
Limerick booked their place in a third successive All-Ireland final but not without drama as Galway pushed all the way in Croke Park.
In the end it finished 0-27 to 1-21 in Limerick’s favour after a late flourish following the introduction of David Reidy who bagged a trio of points.
Limerick were 0-6 to 0-1 to the good inside eight minutes but Galway were guilty of a number of wides as the Shannonsiders took full advantage.
The Tribesmen did get within one of Limerick, but Kiely’s men pulled away towards the concluding stage of the first half leading 0-16 to 0-12.
But Galway had levelled by the time Limerick had scored next, Brian Concannon hitting the roof of the net.
The sides continued to exchange the lead throughout the second period until Reidy’s introduction settled Limerick.
Limerick 1-31 : Kilkenny 2-26 (All-Ireland Hurling Final)
17 July 2022 in Croke Park
Limerick completed a first ever three-in-a-row after an epic contest with Kilkenny in the 2022 All-Ireland hurling final.
John Kiely’s men never trailed in the game but left it late to pull away from the Cats who refused to lie down in a titanic struggle.
Gearoid Hegarty kicked off proceedings with a goal for the ages with Limerick moving six clear on a number of stages in the first half.
But, Cody’s men finished strong to leave it 1-17 to 0-16 in Limerick’s favour at the interval.
Limerick pulled six clear once again but two Kilkenny goals inside ten minutes breathed new life into the contest as the Cats finally drew level.
Richie Hogan’s point on 63 minutes made it 1-26 to 2-23 with the game in the melting pot.
But five on the trot from Limerick was enough as they saw off the Kilkenny avalanche to retain the Liam MacCarthy title.
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