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The recent meetings between the teams will do little for the confidence of the Waterford faithful with Limerick dominating the rivalry.
The 2023 Munster Senior Hurling Championship kicks off this Sunday when Limerick and Waterford do battle in Semple Stadium. The Shannonsiders are seeking a fifth title in a row while the Deise haven’t been provincial kingpins since 2010.
The recent meetings between the teams will do little for the confidence of the Waterford faithful with Limerick dominating the rivalry. John Kiely’s men have overcome the Deise in an All-Ireland final, semi-final and Munster final over the past three years, with a trio of provincial round robin victories also coming during his spell in charge.
Few, if any would bet against Limerick coming out on top for the sixth successive encounter but Waterford did run them close in the second round last year which will give hope to Davy Fitz’ men.
Ahead of this Saturday’s meeting, relive the last five championship clashes between the Munster rivals.
Limerick 2-24 : 0-10 Waterford (Munster Hurling Championship)
2 June 2019 in Walsh Park
Defending All-Ireland champions Limerick got their season back on track as they pummeled the Deise in the second round of the Munster championship following a first round defeat to Cork.
Essentially facing elimination in their second game of the competition, Limerick traveled to Walsh Park to take on Waterford where the Deise raced into a three-point lead and were two to the good after 16.
From here, Limerick dominated as they did in the League final earlier that March to devastating effect. Aaron Gillane’s goal pushed Limerick ahead as they outscored Waterford 1-8 to 0-2 in the final twenty minutes of the half.
This left them 1-10 to 0-7 to the good at the half.
Gearoid Hegarty’s goal on 38 minutes put the game to bed as Limerick steamrolled to a 2-24 to 0-10 victory, en route to claiming a first provincial title since 2013.
Limerick 0-25 : 0-21 Waterford (Munster Hurling Championship Final)
13 November 2020 in Semple Stadium
Limerick retained their Munster title for the first time since 1981 as they overcame a stubborn Deise in Thurles.
Limerick were the quickest out of the blocks and raced into an early 0-6 to 0-3 lead.
However, four of the next five scores would go the way of Liam Cahill’s side as they went into the first water break at 0-7 apiece.
The Shannonsiders would dictate the terms of the second quarter to take a 0-14 to 0-11 lead into the break.
Within five of the restart, Waterford would find themselves level and took the lead on 50 minutes with Gearoid Hegarty levelling prior to the final water break.
Limerick’s power off the bench proved the difference and the Shannonsiders held off the challenge of Cahill’s troops to retain their title and move into the All-Ireland semi-finals for the third successive year.
Limerick 0-30 : 0-19 Waterford (All-Ireland Hurling Championship Final)
13 December 2020 in Croke Park
Limerick won their second All-Ireland in just three years against Waterford in December 2020 in a vacant Croke Park.
For the most part, the game was largely one-sided as Limerick dominated from pillar to post to complete the perfect season and claim back the All-Ireland title they lost the previous July.
Despite a few early shots at goal, Waterford’s striking through the fixture was no match for Limerick’s precise and calculated offence.
Limerick had all but a three point lead at half-time but they were anything but fazed upon the games resumption, stretching their lead to 11 points.
Waterford managed to square up the game early on but spent the games final hour on the back foot, struggling to keep up with their Munster rivals.
Limerick not only sealed an All-Ireland win but their 10th win over 10 games, completing what could be considered a Hurling grand-slam.
Limerick 1-25 : 0-17 Waterford (All-Ireland Hurling Championship Semi-Final)
7 August 2021 in Croke Park
Limerick booked their place back in the All-Ireland final with a comprehensive eleven point win over Waterford in a repeat of the previous year’s final.
With Waterford giving as good as they got in the opening quarter, Limerick upped the ante to pull away from the Deise in an awesome display of power and efficiency.
Cian Lynch and Seamus Flanagan got Limerick off the mark with quickfire scores but Waterford replied to level at 0-4 apiece just after the water break.
But the next six scores came from Limerick, Diarmuid Byrnes moving them into double digits on the 28th minute. Dessie Hutchinson briefly replied but Lynch rounded out the half time scoring with Limerick cruising at 0-15 to 0-7.
Tom Morrissey and Flanagan had Limerick ten-clear after the restart but the Deise did rally to reduce the deficit to six with a quarter of an hour to play.
But from the next play, Gearoid Hegarty fed Aaron Gillane for the games only goal as scores from Morrissey further extended the Limerick advantage to ensure repeat All-Ireland final appearances for the first time in nearly 50-years.
Limerick 0-30 : 2-21 Waterford (Munster Hurling Championship)
23 April 2022 in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
The League champions put Limerick to the pin of their collar but as always is the case, John Kiely’s men had the answers to secure a second successive win to start the championship.
The writing seemed to be on the wall early on in a clash dubbed as the first of three, pitting the pre-championship favourites against one another, with the visitors clipping over three on the bounce to start the contest.
The loss of Cian Lynch worsened the situation for Limerick with the Deise moving 0-8 to 0-3 clear after sixteen minutes. But eventual man of the match Aaron Gillane began to grow into the contest and eight of the next eleven scores came from the Limerick men to draw level on the half hour.
Waterford regained a two-point lead but three from Gillane had the All-Ireland champions 0-14 to 0-13 to the good at the half.
The teams went score for score after the resumption as Dessie Hutchinson made it 0-20 apiece with twenty to play. But the next ten minutes belonged to Limerick who raced seven points clear.
Quickfire goals from Stephen Bennett and Callum Lyons redcued that margin to one with time running out but Pat Ryan and Diarmaid Byrnes had the final scores of the outing to ensure Limerick’s victory.
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