PREVIEW | A place in the McGrath Cup final is on offer as Limerick face Tipperary

The winners of Saturday’s clash will qualify for the McGrath Cup final which will be played on January 18.

The Limerick Senior footballers will aim for a McGrath Cup final berth this Saturday as they travel to Moyne Templetuohy to face Tipperary in the second round.

Ray Dempsey’s side know a win will be enough for a place in the January 18 decider, while a draw is also good enough for the Shannonsiders following their comprehensive win over Waterford.

In Mick Neville Park, in Dempsey’s first game in charge, Limerick proved far too strong for the Deise with a 4-14 to 0-9 win to kick off the new year.

Debutant Cathal Downes was amongst the goals, bagging one in either half as the Kildimo Pallaskenry youngster sent out a statement of intent. He was joined in the goalscoring stakes by Adrian Enright and Killian Ryan with both reverting to the full forward line to devastating effect.

Elsewhere, Munster Club finalist Ruadhan O’Connor was handed his debut as were Jack Ryan, Brian Barry and Eoin O’Shea.

Ryan is named from the start for Saturday’s clash and is one of three changes with Iain Corbett and Donal O’Sullivan also coming into the starting XV.

Tipperary were similarly impressive in their first outing of the year as they also put the Waterford to the sword last weekend. They were 2-14 to 0-7 winners in Dungarvan to set up a winner takes all clash with Limerick this Saturday.

Sean O’Connor grabbed one of their goals and he will be familiar to Limerick fans after an impressive showing for Clonmel Commercials against Newcastle West in the Munster semi-final. Stalwart Kevin Fahy had the other while Steven O’Brien returned to the fold after helping Ballina to county intermediate honours.

Limerick were McGrath Cup champions in 2020 on a night where the hurlers captured Munster League honours. In the football decider, Billy Lee’s men picked up their first piece of silverware in fifteen years as they bested Cork 0-20 to 0-16 in the Gaelic Grounds. They then went on to claim the Division 4 National League title later that year.

Tipperary’s wait for silverware also came to an end on the same year as they defeated the Rebels in the Munster final after coming through an epic semi-final against Limerick in a clash that needed extra-time. However, they haven’t been successful in the pre season competition since 2003 where they beat Clare by a solitary point. They reached successive McGrath Cup finals in 2012 and 2013 where they were overcome by Kerry and Cork respectively.

The last meeting of the sides in the January competition came twelve months ago as Limerick let a lead slip in Mick Neville Park with Tipperary escaping with a 0-14 to 1-12 victory.

Limerick did gain some revenge in the championship clash later that May, defeating the Premier County on home soil in the Munster semi-final to qualify for a first decider in 12 years.

It looks an intriguing match-up on paper with a chance to face one of Cork or Clare in the Munster final a golden opportunity at this time of year.

Tipp have the home advantage which counts for plenty at this time of year but momentum favours Limerick.

Limerick face Tipperary in the second round of the McGrath Cup this Saturday, January 14 in Moyne Templetuohy at 2pm.

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