Preview | Limerick seek first League win of the season in All-Ireland final rematch

Limerick are back in National Hurling League action this Sunday as they host Cork in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Ahead of the third round clash, Limerick will be seeking a first win of the campaign after suffering losses to Wexford and Galway while opponents Cork are two from two.

Both teams will come into the game after having a weekend off to allow for the conclusion of the Fitzgibbon Cup with each side well represented.

Brian O’Grady and Sean Twomey both impressed for champions UL but will be in different camps this Sunday.

Reigning Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch will also be in line to make his first appearance of the season for the Limerick as his NUIG side fell just short.

Lynch was extremely unlucky to see red in the final but will not serve a suspension at intercounty level.

William O’Donoghue looks set to be fit for the tie having limped off in the defeat to Galway. Gearoid Hegarty, who was sent off in that defeat, will serve his suspension on Sunday.

Limerick will be desperate to pick up that first win of the League season at home to the Rebels with their championship meeting less than eight weeks away.

Reflecting on their slow start to the League, John Kiely alluded to their experience in the position saying,

“Its down to use you know we have the experience of being here before. It can be hard when we do come back to get up to where you want to be and at this moment we just aren’t there. We have to work really really hard to get back to up.”

Indeed, Sunday’s game has a feeling of deja-vu surrounding it with Limerick in an eerily similar position to the one they faced last year.

In 2021, the defending All-Ireland champions, could only muster a draw against Tipperary in round one, before falling to successive defeats to Galway and Waterford, the loss to the Tribesmen being their first in 21-months.

They then welcome Cork to the Gaelic Grounds after a week’s break where Kiely’s men finally found their rhythm, dominating the Rebels for a 0-33 to 2-19 win.

This time around, Limerick will face into the game after a break that followed successive defeats. Cork come to the TUS Gaelic Grounds off the back of a nineteen point win over Offaly, whereas last year it was 33 point demolition job on Westmeath.

A similar to scenario to last year would certainly be pleasing for Kiely and co, with the 2021 season ending with Limerick back on top after crushing Cork in the All-Ireland final.

But Cork have proved difficult opponents for Limerick at home in recent times, last year’s result aside.

In 2019, Cork inflicted Limerick’s first League defeat since capturing the All-Ireland title the previous August, securing a 2-21 to 1-21 win on the Ennis Rd.

Later that summer, the Rebels made it successive wins over Limerick at home with a victory in the opening round of the Munster championship.

The game is a huge one for both sides for varying reasons. Kieran Kingston’s men will be desperate to not only get one over Limerick after last year’s drubbing in Croke Park, but it will also continue their quest for League honours with the Rebels last tasting silverware in the 2005 All-Ireland final.

Their last League title came way back in 1998.

As for John Kiely’s men, they will be keen to reestablish their aura that has them as heavy favourites to make it three in a row of All-Ireland titles.

Either way, Sunday will be an indication of where both sides are with that April 17th date in the championship looming large.

Last year, Limerick beat Cork in the League before repeating that in the championship, in 2019, Cork won both contests, while in 2018, each of their championship meetings ended in draws.

Getting one up on the other early in the year has proved key in the past and should fate repeat itself, Sunday’s game takes on a whole new meaning.