Limerick host Kerry in Munster Minor Football Championship semi-final

It will be a tall order for Limerick as they take on a Kerry side that have missed out on the Munster final just once since 1995.

The Limerick Minor Footballer will look to make it four wins in a row as they take on Kerry in the Munster MFC for the first time win eleven years on Thursday evening.

The game will mark a week since John Ryan’s youthful charges claimed the Munster Phase One title with a three-point victory over Tipperary in Mallow. That was Limerick’s first piece of silverware at the grade since 1956.

Throw in at Newcastle West is 6.45pm this Thursday with the game live on Sport TG4’s YouTube channel.

With their progress to the Munster championship outright confirmed prior to the phase one final, Limerick’s semi-final opponent was confirmed with the champions paired with Kerry who were defeated by Cork.

It will be a tall order for Limerick as they take on a Kerry side that have missed out on the Munster final just once since 1995. That was in 2021 as Limerick ended a 23-year wait for a final berth where they were beaten by Cork. That was just the Shannonsiders’ fifth final appearance with their one success coming in 1956. Kerry meanwhile lead the roll of honour with 49 titles.

However, Limerick will be well seasoned coming in to the clash having played four games already this year. Ryan’s side were disappointing in their opener, a repeat of last year’s phase one final, again losing out to Tipperary. But they responded in style with a four-goal win over Clare before a victory against Waterford ensured a rematch with the premier.

In last Thursday’s final, Limerick dominated the opening exchanges but were pegged back in the second half with Tipp finding the games first goal. However, Darragh Hogan would prove the match winner with his green flag the difference at the final whistle, ending a 67 year wait for silverware.

And Ryan has stuck with the tried and trusted for this Thursday’s clash as he names an identical starting XV. Aidan O’Shea once again captains the team from full forward having made his first appearance in the phase one decider. Goalscorer in the final, Darragh Hogan partners top scorer Evan Curry in midfield.

Kerry are preparing for just their second contest of the year following the reversal against Cork last time out. The Kingdom fell to a 2-12 to 0-14 defeat in Pairs Ui Chaoimh in a repeat of last year’s final. Cork are aiming for a three in a row of titles after beating Limerick in the 2021 decider.

Interestingly, it will be the first meeting of the sides since 2012, when Kerry were 3-9 to 0-5 victors in Tralee. Tipperary went on to claim the minor title that year but since the championship has been won by either Cork or Kerry on each occasion. Again it will be up to Tipp and Limerick to try and stem the tide as Cork face the Premier on Thursday evening in Thurles.

It’s a very tall ask for Limerick but with improvements in each game so far, John Ryan and his team will be quietly confident of providing the upset.

Limerick face Kerry in the Munster MFC Semi-Final on Thursday May 18 at 6.45pm in Newcastle West, live on TG4 Sport Youtube.

Watch Limerick v Kerry

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