PREVIEW: Limerick aim for back-to-back Munster titles

This Sunday Limerick have the chance to retain their Munster Hurling Championship title for the first time since 1981, when they meet Waterford in the Provincial decider in Semple Stadium.

The Treaty will be heavily favoured to go back-to-back against a Deise side that they haven’t lost to in the championship since 2011.

These sides last met in the final in 2007 when Waterford proved too strong for Richie Bennis’ side as they picked up a 3-17 to 1-14 win in Thurles.

In the past two summers, Limerick have inflicted heavy defeats on Waterford as well as overcoming their Munster rivals in the 2019 National League final.

Limerick have been in imperious form under John Kiely either side of the lockdown.

They secured a belated League title against Clare in October in the Munster quarter-final which also acted as a League final.

On that day in Thurles, Limerick put up a staggering 36 white flags to retain the League title and earn a spot against  Tipperary in the semi-finals of Munster.

In monsoon-like conditions in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Kiely’s side put on a clinic of hurling against the defending All-Ireland champions.

In the end the margin of victory was nine as Limerick ultimately cruised to a 3-23 to 2-17 win against Liam Sheedy’s charges.

This ensured a second consecutive Munster final berth for Limerick after they beat the Premier in the 2019 decider, 2-26 to 2-14 to secure a first Munster title since 2013 and only a second triumph since 1996.

Their opponents this weekend, Waterford are under the tutelage of Liam Cahill, who guided Tipperary to U20/21 All-Ireland titles in 2018 and 2019.

It was his third All-Ireland win in four years as manager as he also guided the Tipperary minors to the 2016 title.

Under Cahill, Waterford picked up a first Munster championship win since 2017 when they beat Cork 1-28 to 1-24 in the Munster semi-final a fortnight ago.

They were full value for the victory over the Rebels as they never surrendered the lead after the 14^th minute.

It was a comprehensive performance from Cahill’s side, with Jamie Barron and Tadgh de Burca back to their excellent best.

Callum Lyons plundered 1-2 from wing-back while Dessie Hutchinson was brilliant on his debut in the forward line.

As such, John Kiely will not be taking the Waterford threat lightly, despite bookies having Limerick as 2/9 favourites.

In the semi-final, Kiely sprung a number of changes to what was a largely settled Limerick side as he reverted Cian Lynch to centre-forward as Kyle Hayes moved back to wing-back.

Darragh O’Donovan partnered William O’Donoghue in midfield as Limerick completely dominated the middle third against Tipperary.

In defence, Dan Morrissey and Barry Nash looked far more comfortable in the full-back line while the forwards were once again immense in front of goal.

They will face a different kind of danger against Waterford who were extremely light on their feet against Cork, using a strong running game mixed with quality forward ball into the likes of Hutchinson, Stephen Bennett and Jake Dillon.

The influence of De Burca as a dep lying centre-back will certainly have to be curbed as Kiely debates whether putting Hayes back at 11 or keeping Lynch there.

Jamie Barron in midfield will also need to be looked after with William O’Donoghue’s tour de force against Noel McGrath signalling the ability to do so.

These sides last met in their final game prior to the lockdown as Limerick picked up a fifth consecutive League win in the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

1-5 from Gearoid Hegarty would prove crucial in a 1-21 to 1-17 win in March.

In the past two championship meetings Limerick ran out 2-26 to 1-16 winners at the Ennis Road in 2018 before a 2-24 to 0-10 win in Walsh Park last summer.

As such, Waterford will certainly be up against it and if Limerick produce another otherworldly performance they will pick up their second piece of silverware in three weeks.