Munster Hurling Championship Preview.

Limerick take on Clare this Sunday in the Munster Hurling Championship Semi Final in Semple Stadium.

Throw in is at 4pm with the winner to face either Cork or Waterford in the Provincial decider.

The winner will also be guaranteed a place in an All Ireland Quarter Final, something both sets of players will only be too aware of. This too is a huge incentive as it guarantees championship involvement deep into the Summer.

Speaking to Sporing Limerick, the Weekly Observer’s Matt O’Callaghan believes there will be little between the sides.

“The fact that it is Clare in the first round, all form goes out the window.

“Games between the counties are invariably on a knife-edge and can go any way and I honestly think it’s the same on this occasion.

“John Kiely will have aimed his whole season the 4th of June and its upon us now”

However, Limerick will be without a couple of key figures come Sunday. Diarmuid Byrnes and William have both been ruled out whilst Gearoid Hegarty is struggling for fitness.

“They will have to readjust to counter the loss of key players”

However, Clare haven’t won a Munster Championship game since 2012 and haven’t reached a Munster final since 2008 and will be keen to rectify that statistic.

O’Callaghan singled out the half-back line as key, with Declan Hannon at 6 and Seamus Hickey on the wing as crucial to any Limerick success on Sunday.

“I would still be looking to people like Declan Hannon, Seamus Hickey, Shane Dowling and Richie McCarthy… Experienced heads”

“O’Callaghan does believe that Clare have the edge but couldn’t call which way it will go on Sunday.

“Clare would have to be favourites… But games between Clare and Limerick, you cannot discount anything from happening.”

You can listen to the podcast in full by clicking on the link below.