OPINION: Limerick’s poor record in Munster Club this decade makes for grim viewing

The Munster Club Championships continue this weekend with three Limerick sides in action.

For the first time since 2019, a Limerick side will feature in the Munster Club championship this weekend with Newcastle West, Mountcollins and Kildimo Pallaskenry in action.

Newcastle West host the Nire and Mountcollins welcome Ballina on Saturday afternoon. The following day Kildimo Pallaskenry head to Corofin in the Munster championship.

Next week, Kilmallock, Mungret St Pauls and Caherline will be in Munster Hurling action.

After the absence of the 2020 competitions, the appetite is certainly there in Limerick circles as we approach the festive season.

Each team will harbour genuine aspirations of progressing from the province and continuing their season into the new year.

But, in recent years, the Munster Club championships have been a barren spot for the Limerick contingent.

Limerick’s record in the Munster club championship in recent years has been poor at best with little in way of success in the Provincial championship’s this decade outside of Na Piarsaigh.

In 2019, Croom were the only Limerick side to pick up a win in the championship as they beat Ballyduff Lower in the Junior championship, despite not winning county honours.

Newcastle West pushed eventual champions Nemo Rangers all the way but lost out by three as Blackrock took All-Ireland finalists Fr O’Neills to extra-time.

But despite spirited performances, both ended the campaign with a solitary L beside their name, as did Patrickswell, Galtee Gaels and Castletown Ballyagran.

And in the grand scheme of thing, Limerick’s record in the Munster championship in the last decade makes for grim reading.

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Limerick winners in Munster Club championship in the last decade (2010-2019)

2010:

None.

2011:

Na Piarsaigh (Senior Hurling)

Effin (Intermediate Hurling)

2012:

None.

2013:

Na Piarsaigh (Senior Hurling)

2014:

Kilmallock Senior Hurling

2015:

Na Piarsaigh (Senior Hurling)

2016:

None.

2017:

Na Piarsaigh (Senior Hurling)

2018:

None.

2019:

None.

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With six Limerick teams entering Munster championship action each year, to have just 3 teams win a Munster championship is poor.

In total Limerick won six Munster Club championship’s with Na Piarsaigh accounting for four of those triumphs.

It gives Limerick a 10% strike rate in the competitions overall.

This is hugely boosted by the fact that Na Piarsaigh and Kilmallock won 50% of the Senior Munster Club Championships on offer this decade.

There wasn’t one football trophy won, with only a couple of teams even reaching finals over the decade.

Below is a breakdown of the number of Munster Championship’s won by each county over the last decade:*

1.Kerry: 24 (24 Football)

2. Cork: 17 (12 Hurling, 5 Football)

3. Waterford: 7 (All Hurling)

4. Limerick: 6 (All Hurling)

5. Tipperary: 4 (3 Hurling, 1 Football)

6. Clare: 2 (Both Hurling)

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While the Munster Club results have little bearing on Intercounty success and are largely inconsequential to clubs whose main focus all year is to win the county title, the results, or lack thereof is worrying for those in Limerick GAA.

But with Limerick’s progression in the intercounty scene hopefully, the championships will prove more fruitful across all grades in both codes.