GAA
The Limerick footballers take on Kerry in their Munster Championship Final clash this Saturday
Billy Lee will be preparing his footballers ahead of their first Munster Final in twelve years after a particularly successful season
Limerick have already beaten Tipp and Clare to reach a first decider since 2010 while Kerry saw off Cork in their semi-final.
Kerry are 16-point favourites for the game as Limerick seek a first title since 1896.
With the conclusion of the championship looming, we take a look at the Shannonsiders previous trips to the final.
Kerry 0-23 : 3-12 Limerick
21 July 1991 in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney
Limerick faced off against familiar enemies Kerry in front of a crowd of 25,000 at Fitzgerald Stadium. Unfortunately for the treaty men they would once again fall at the final hurdle as the Kingdom would defeat Limerick 0-23 to 3-12
This was Limerick’s first final appearance in a provincial final for thirty years and what a return it was as the treaty men gave every ounce of fight to push Kerry to the final minutes of the game.
John O’Keefe managed the Shannonsiders on the day.
Limerick started the game fast as in the open minutes of play Sean Kelly bagged a goal from a penalty. This was the beginning of an extremely high scoring game from both sides, Danny Fitzgerald was one of Limericks top players scoring 0-4 from open play on the day.
The Treaty men went into the break ahead of their opponents, but Kerry would manage to take back hold of the game after the break.
The Kingdom would take the lead after a string of scores that includes points from Pat Spillane.
Limerick failed to regain the lead and after scoring 3-12 they would have to swallow the bitter pill of defeat whereas Kerry would take the trophy as Limerick’s wait went on.
Kerry 1-11 : 0-9 Limerick
13 July 2003 in Fitzgerald Stadium
Kerry halted Limerick’s huge momentum as they claimed the Munster title at the Shannonsiders expense with a 1-11 to 0-9 win in Fitzgerald Stadium.
Limerick had an amazing route to the final as they picked up a first Munster championship win since 1991 as they defeated Cork comprehensively in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
The Treaty men then faced off against Clare in the semi-final, where they continued their good early season form with a 2-14 to 0-12 win to earn a first Munster final place in twelve years.
Again, they were paired with Kerry, their fifth time meeting in the decider.
Kerry were the previous years All-Ireland runners up and their experience would prove the difference as Dara O’Cinneide got the games only goal.
Kerry were efficient in front of goal whereas the Shannonsiders found it difficult to score against the Kingdom’s steadfast defence.
The Kingdom never looked in danger of losing their lead with the first half ending in their favour. The second half would be a repeat of the first with Limerick finishing the game with only nine points. O’Cinneide was Kerry’s hero as not only did he bag the decisive goal in the game he also bagged six points for his side.
Muiris Gavin and Conor Fitzgerald were the two treaty men who looked most dangerous with two points each, but their efforts weren’t enough to drive the team on to victory.
That was enough for a five point victory but the sides wouldn’t have to wait long for the rematch.
Kerry 3-10 : 2-09 Limerick (Replay)
(Limerick 1-10 : 1-10 Kerry)
18 July 2004 in Fitzgerald Stadium
Kerry and Limerick were paired in the Munster final for the second successive year, with Kerry needing a replay to see off the Shannonsiders and extend their lengthy wait for a Munster final.
In a repeat of the 2003 game, Limerick held home advantage this time around.
But despite being the better side for the majority of the game, they could not see off the Kingdom in the Gaelic Grounds.
Limerick led throughout but a determined Kerry outfit ensured a second day would be needed as it finished all square at 1-10 apiece on the Ennis Rd.
The replay started off much like the first with Limerick powering ahead looking to demoralise their opponents before they could take a foothold in the tie.
Treaty hearts would eventually be broken as Kerry managed a 3-10 to 2-9 victory to steal the game and leave Limerick still searching for the ever elusive championship title.
Limerick though were lighting up the early portion of the game. They netted a goal up after just 15 seconds. John Quane collected the throw-in and set up Stephen Kelly who thundered the ball past the keeper and into the roof of the net.
Muiris Gavin, John Galvin and Conor Fitzgerald all had blistering starts to the delight of Limerick fans. It wouldn’t be until the tenth minute that Kerry got their first score.
Nonetheless, the Shannonsiders were up approaching half time but Kerry managed to pull back the deficit before the break. From this point it was the Kingdom’s time as they would go on to net a bevy of scores in the second half.
1-7 from Dara O’Cinneide provided Kerry a talisman to play off as he proved the difference for the second consecutive season.
Cork 2-6 : 0-11 Limerick
5 July 2009 in Pairc Ui Coimh
Cork took home the Munster title for the second year running at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as underdogs Limerick pushed all the way in a single point 2-6 to 0-11 defeat.
The Rebels just managed to get over the line with a point to spare, as Limerick led for majority of the game. And if not for some shaky second half shooting, they could well have won the first provincial crown since 1896.
Limerick showed great heart in the first half as they were leading the previous year’s champions 0-8 to 1-2 at half-time.
There were some brilliant first half performances from Limerick as John Galvin was outstanding in midfield and Ian Ryan bagged over four points from play in the first half alone.
The game reached its turning point when Colm O’Neill was introduced for the Rebels at the midpoint of the second half. O’Neill gave Cork a revitalised presence in attack and played a crucial role in Daniel Goulding’s game defining goal.
O’Neill struck a glorious long-range effort that levelled the game minutes later and Cork dominated the closing stages to emerge with the win.
Through the skin of their teeth Cork managed to clinch a second title in two years whereas Limerick were left as the gallant underdogs in second place one again.
Limerick 1-14: 1-17 Kerry
4 July 2010 in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney
The last time Limerick played the final in 2010 and it was this weekend’s opponent that claimed the title with a 1-17 to 1-14 victory in Killarney.
John Galvin had Limerick off to the perfect start, scoring from the throw as Limerick kicked the first four scores.
They maintained that advantage for much of the first period, as they led 0-10 to 0-7 at the break.
Kerry soon replied with 1-7 without reply in a devastating second half spell as they moved seven clear of Limerick.
But Man of the Match Galvin had other ideas as he turned over the Kingdom before firing to the net to ignite the Limerick comeback as they drew level through the Croom man.
Yet, they couldn’t get ahead with Kerry getting the next score nine minutes later, and they added two more to seal the win, inflicting further agony on Limerick.
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