Limerick’s latest All-Ireland success brings them second in longest ever unbeaten run

As they were in 2020 and ’21, Limerick are the kingpins of the hurling landscape.

Not only a third successive All-Ireland Senior Hurling triumph was achieved by John Kiely’s incredible group but for the third year on the trot, Limerick remained unbeaten throughout the championship.

Limerick last suffered defeat in the championship on 27 July 2019 when Kilkenny upset the odds in a memorable All-Ireland semi-final.

But in gaining revenge on the Cats, Limerick ensured another unbeaten season as they joined an illustrious list of teams to complete a three in a row.

They now sit second on the list of longest undefeated streaks with sixteen unbeaten in the meantime, level with Tipperary who achieved the feat in 1952.

Kilkenny hold the record with 21, the stretch that included four successive All-Ireland titles ranging from May 2016 to September 2010.

Were Limerick to win the Munster championship undefeated next year and make it five on the trot, then they would equal that record.

Nonetheless, it has been a historic run thus far with that loss to Kilkenny coming 1,086 days ago. With their next championship game not until next April, that will have risen to 1,344+.

During that time, Limerick have picked up fifteen wins, with just one draw, that coming against Clare earlier this summer with their place in the Munster final already guaranteed.

Over the course of the three-year run, Limerick have beaten Clare, Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Galway and most recently Kilkenny.

Team beaten by Limerick in the championship since 2020

• Waterford – 4 (2020 (x2), 2021, 2022)
• Tipperary – 3 (2020, 2021, 2022)
• Cork – 3 (2021 (x2), 2022)
• Clare – 2 (2020, 2022)
• Galway – 2 (2020, 2022)
• Kilkenny – 1 (2022)

The only consistent tier one teams they haven’t beaten on this run are Wexford and Dublin who have failed to fire in recent years. Wexford’s last All-Ireland triumph came in 1996, the last time they were in the final while Dublin’s previous Liam MacCarthy success came in 1938.

As such, it is safe to say Limerick have beaten every possible challenge presented to them on this incredible run.

Waterford have been the big losers, falling in each of their four meetings over the past three seasons. Included in those defeats are an All-Ireland final, Munster final and All-Ireland semi-final.

Indeed, Limerick have beaten the Deise, Cork and Kilkenny in All-Ireland finals while Waterford, Clare and Tipperary were defeated in provincial deciders.

Galway are the only team to not suffer a final defeat to Limerick, losing in a pair of All-Ireland semi-finals.

After the defeat to Kilkenny in 2019, Limerick returned to action in a Covid delayed season looking to make up for lost time as they streaked to the All-Ireland title with some comprehensive displays.

The following summer as supporters trickled back into grounds, it was much of the same with an average winning margin of just under ten points.

But this year, each team Limerick faced seemed to bring their highest level which resulted in some classic contests, notably the final three games of the season.

Yet Kiely’s men were up to the challenge in them all, setting records along the way.

Limerick’s undefeated streak

2020

• Limerick 0-36 : 1-23 Clare (Munster Hurling Championship Quarter-Final)
• Limerick 3-23 : 2-17 Tipperary (Munster Hurling Championship Semi-Final)
• Limerick 0-25 : 0-21 Waterford (Munster Hurling Championship Final)
• Limerick 0-27 : 0-24 Galway (All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final)
• Limerick 0-30 : 0-19 Waterford (All-Ireland Hurling Final)

2021

• Limerick 2-22 : 1-17 Cork (Munster Hurling Championship Semi-Final)
• Limerick 2-29 : 3-21 Tipperary (Munster Hurling Championship Final)
• Limerick 1-25 : Waterford 0-17 (All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final)
• Limerick 3-32 : 1-22 Cork (All-Ireland Hurling Final)

2022

• Limerick 2-25 : 1-17 Cork (Munster Hurling Championship Round 1)
• Limerick 0-30 : 2-21 Waterford (Munster Hurling Championship Round 2)
• Limerick 3-21 : 0-23 Tipperary (Munster Hurling Championship Round 3)
• Limerick 1-21 : 0-24 Clare (Munster Hurling Championship Round 4)
• Limerick 1-29 : 0-29 Clare [AET] (Munster Hurling Final)
• Limerick 0-27 : 1-21 Galway (All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final)
• Limerick 1-31 : 2-26 Kilkenny (All-Ireland Hurling Final)

And after so many barren years, the success of the current side cannot be underestimated. Kiely recently remarked that if he had been offered one All-Ireland when entering the role, he would have bitten off their hand.

But the needle has shifted an unparalleled amount since with four in five solidifying their status as one of the greatest teams of all time.

Still, there is a feeling of unfinished business for arguably the greatest collection of players of all time.

Yes, this latest success must be appreciated but as the months tick by, talk of four in a row will become inevitable.