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

In the last month, Limerick have had six representatives enter the Munster Club Championship.

Those representatives were;

• Patrickswell -Senior Hurling Championship
• Newcastle West – Senior Football Championship
• Blackrock – Intermediate Hurling Championship
• Galtee Gaels – Intermediate Football Championship
• Croom– Junior Football Championship
• Castletown/Ballyagran- Junior Hurling Championship

Six teams and just the one win makes for grim reading for those with a Limerick interest.

Croom’s victory over Balyduff Lower in the Junior Championship was the only Limerick win in Munster this calendar year.

They lost out in the semi-final to Mullinahone of Tipperary.

Granted, some of those teams can come away from their respective games with their heads held high but a loss is a loss in any right.

Blackrock pushed Cork Premier Intermediate Fr. O’Neills all the way before losing out in extra time.

The Cork side would go onto win the Munster championship last weekend.

Similarily, Newcastle West only lost out to Nemo Rangers by a goal, but that’s a loss nonetheless.

Both Limerick’s senior champions, Patrickswell and Newcastle lost their Munster Championship games against Ballygunner and Nemo Rangers respectively.

While each came into the game as the underdog, that will count for little for those involved.

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.

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Limerick winners in Munster Club championship this 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.

Hopefully, the next decade will prove more fruitful across all grades in both codes.