Last Five | Limerick’s last five U21 Final clashes as current crop aim to maintain 100% record

The 2022 U21 All-Ireland final will be a repeat of the 2017 U21 All-Ireland Hurling Final that saw Limerick defeat Kilkenny for the title.

Limerick look to repeat the result they earned against Kilkenny in the 2017 U21 Hurling final five years after their first meeting in the final.

The game will be held at Semple Stadium on May the 22nd. The game will be broadcast live for viewers on TG4.

With the confirmation the Limerick and Kilkenny will clash once again for The U21 All-Ireland Hurling Championship, we look at the last five times Limerick went all the way in the competition.

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Kilkenny 0-11 : 0-17 Limerick

9th of September 2017, Semple Stadium

Limerick managed to pick up their second All-Ireland Championship in just three years against Kilkenny at Semple Stadium.

The two sides had never in a championship game at this level before, but Limerick had there number in the first half comfortably. Limerick went into the half with a seven point lead and looked to see the game out in the second period. Kilkenny wouldn’t lie down however as they tried to at least make their opponents work for the win.

Kilkenny’s Alan Murphy managed to bring the score back to just four points in the difference, his free-taking was especially impressive as he netted five points in the second half. Aaron Gillane who finished with 0-7 five of which were from play, had some vital late scores alongside substitute Oisin O’Reilly.

The Man of the Match award was given to Gillane after his incredible all round display for his side. Gillane would go on to end that championship with a total of 0-44 points scored over five matches

Limerick Scorers: A Gillane 0-7 (0-2f), R Lynch (0-3f) and P Casey 0-3 each, C Lynch, B Nash, P Ahern and C Boylan 0-1 each.

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Limerick 0-26 : 1-7 Wexford

12th September 2015, Semple Stadium

Limerick won the first of their two championships in three years on this day against Wexford. Their previous All-Ireland glory at this level was way back in 2002.

Wexford were looking to win the competition for the first time since 1965 but the Shannonsiders but those hopes to bed quite quickly.

John Kiely was coaching his side in front of 18,445 on the day. Despite senior players such as Cian Lynch and Tom Morrisey, a leaving cert student called Barry Nash was to pick up the Man of the Match award. He scored five points from play on his way to personal and team glory that day.

Limerick were excellent from the first minutes as they went into the half with a seven point lead on their opponents. The eventual winners held the lead at 0-11 to 0-4. Interestingly the referee had disallowed a goal for each of the sides in the first half after he pulled the play back for earlier fouls.

While Wexford struggled to score for an achingly long 17 minutes Limerick were rampant. Nash had four, Tom Morrisey and Pat Ryan also added a brace of points each.

Scorers for Limerick: R Lynch 0-6 (5f), B Nash 0-5, T Morrissey 0-4, P Ryan, C Lynch and P Casey (0-1 pen) 0-3 each, D Byrnes 0-2 (1f).

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Limerick 3-17 : 0-8 Galway

15th September 2002, Semple Stadium

Limerick produced an utterly ruthless display against Cork to claim the U-21 All-Ireland hurling Championship.

This would be manager David Keane and the rest of his staff’s final game at this level as they moved up to coach the senior team of the time. The idea of a classic All-Ireland clash between these two teams was hopelessly dashed as the treaty side never looked to be in any danger of losing the game on the day.

Mark Keane opened the scoring for his side on the first minute of the day, from there on in it was open season for the Shannonsiders. For many of the players in this team they would be picking their third medal in as many seasons as it looked like no one could touch this side.

Limerick’s first goal came from Andrew O’Shaughnessy on the 10th minute mark, O’Shaughnessy would pick up his second medal in two years after the game. The champions led the game 2-10 to 0-4 at the halftime mark. In the second half Limerick began to knock over points every other minute to a ridiculous standard.

With the final minutes counting down, Limerick prepared for their celebrations as Galway couldn’t come close to their competition.

Scorers for Limerick: A O’Shaughnessy 2-2; M Keane 1-6 (0-5 frees); P Kirby 0-3 (0-2 frees); J O’Brien, P Lawlor (0-1 free) 0-2 each; C Fitzgerald, D Reale 0-1 each.

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Limerick 0-17 : 2-10 Wexford

16th September 2001, Semple Stadium

Limerick managed to earn their second U-21 All-Ireland Hurling championship in as many years in a very tense affair versus Wexford.

The shannonsiders just about held on to their lead after a spirited fightback from Wexford had cut the champions lead to just one in the final moments.

The Treaty county started off quick as they looked to intimidate their opponents with early scores. In the middle of the park Stephen Lucey was the main man, he pushed his side on to score while they had the wind to their backs. Wexford were able to get a foothold in the game with a huge goal from Michael Jacob on the 15th minute.

As great sides do the champions refocused and managed to go into the half leading by five points. Limerick added a couple of quick scores at the start of the second half. It looked like it was going to be a repeat of the previous years final, but Wexford began to dig deep near the the end of the match. Wexford scored unanswered, until a frantic bit of defending in front of goal changed the complexion of the game. The sliotar fortunately popped to Nicky Lambert who buried the ball in the back of the net.

Lambert found himself with the opportunity to tie the game in the dying seconds, but a missed free granted Limerick the victory that they were so desperately hanging onto.

Scorers for Limerick: M Keane 0-7, C Fitzgerald 0-3, N Moran 0-2, K Tobin 0-2, E Foley 0-2, S Lucey 0-1.

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Limerick 1-13 : 0-13 Galway

17th September 2000, Semple Stadium

Limerick were able to claim their first U21 All-Ireland Hurling Championship since 1987 after a very narrow victory against Galway. This would also mark Galway’s fourth U21 All-Ireland loss in a row

The eventual winners started the game off on a poorer note than they were used too but managed to get a grip of themselves after the 10 minute mark. The shannonsiders midfield was a real standout on the day as they held the anchor of team going forward and on the defensive side of the game.

After Cork’s two opening scores, The treaty county hit back with four unanswered points to put them back ahead. By the time the half time break came around Limerick found themselves in the lead with 0-8 to 0-6. Galway could have gone into the break with the lead but an excellent goal block on the 28th minute put a stop to Galway’s momentum.

Cork struggled to find the goal they desperately needed to allow for the final comeback push, but it never came. Mark Keane’s 1-8 could have been eve more if not for a saved penalty chance early in the game.

Ultimately Cork did not have enough to push for the win and when the final whistle blew Limerick were the winners of the first of three consecutive All-Ireland wins.

Scorers for Limerick: M Keane 1-8 (7f), S Lucey, P O’Grady, S O’Connor, D Stapleton, D Sheehan 0-1 each.