PREVIEW | Pairc Ui Chaoimh hosts fascinating NHL League opener between Cork and Limerick

Limerick and Cork find themselves in 1A of the League alongside Galway, Clare, Wexford and Westmeath with the latter the only change from last year’s group as they replace Offaly.

John Kiely’s All-Ireland winning Limerick team begin their National League campaign this Saturday evening in Pairc Ui Chaoimh against the Rebels.

It is the second meeting of the sides on Leeside this year already with Cork striking late for victory in their Munster Hurling League clash in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

That was both of their first outings of the year as each defeated Kerry with relative ease. However, the Pairc Ui Rinn was enough for Cork to advance to the preseason final where they beat Tipperary in similar fashion to that against Limerick.

It was a first piece of silverware for new boss Pat Ryan who replaced Kieran Kingston. Kingston had guided Cork to a first All-Ireland final in eight years in 2021 but they were overawed by Limerick in a display for the ages.

However, the Rebels have been able to best Limerick on a number of occasions in the past number of years with a pair of victories over the Shannonsiders since John Kiely’s appointment and also a pair of draws, although Limerick did gain the upperhand in the championship clash that did go to extra-time.

Last year, Cork sent out a statement of intent with a comprehensive 1-13 to 2-19 win in the TUS Gaelic Grounds which was their third successive win and Limerick’s third loss on the trot.

But when the sides met seven weeks later in the championship in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Limerick dominated following an early Cork goal to claim a 1-17 to 2-25 win.

Last Five Meetings

• Cork 0-21 : 1-17 Limerick (2023 MHL)
• Cork 1-17 : 2-25 Limerick (2022 MSHC)
• Limerick 1-13 : 2-19 Cork (2022 NHL Rd 3)
• Limerick 3-32 : 1-22 Cork (2021 All-Ireland Final)
• Limerick 2-22 : 1-17 Cork (2021 MSHC SF)

Yet, this fixture has been dominated in recent times by the Shannonsiders who have failed to hit their championship heights in recent years in the league. Last year, a final round win over Offaly was their first. But by the time they traveled to Pairc Ui Chaoimh in the championship they had righted the wrongs of pre season.

Similarly, in 2021, Limerick failed to win their first three games in the league before the clash with Cork primed them for a rematch in Munster later in the year.

How John Kiely approaches the league will be interesting but the Galbally man is sure to introduce a number of fresh faces into the set up. No fewer than nine made their debuts for the senior side in the Munster hurling league, with four of them starting the clash with Cork.

Aidan O’Connor and Shane O’Brien scored on their fist appearances while Ciaran Barry and Fergal O’Connor were solid in defence. Micheal Houlihan, Jimmy Quilty and Conor O’Grady got the nod to start against Kerry with Monaleen’s All-Ireland winning duo of Jamie Power and Donnacha O’Dalaigh introduced against the Kingdom.

Limerick and Cork find themselves in 1A of the League alongside Galway, Clare, Wexford and Westmeath with the latter the only change from last year’s group as they replace Offaly. Last year, Limerick were beaten by Wexford, Galway and Cork before a draw got them off the board. They concluded their campaign with a routine win over Offaly.

Cork on the other hand finished runners up to Wexford and beat Kilkenny in the league semi-final. Defeat against Waterford would follow but they would get revenge in the Munster championship.

Both teams will have one eye on the Munster championship and they stand as the only teams with a 100% record to make it to the All-Ireland series since the inception of the round-robin in 2018.

And they will know that this will not be the most important meeting of the teams this year with the TUS Gaelic Grounds to host their Munster Hurling Championship meeting on May 28 in the final round.

Still, the chance to get the upper hand will not be one that either side will be eager to pass up. Cork’s need in the league is greater but Limerick have shown they can do it either way en route to their three-in-a-row with the League title annexed in 2020 before indifferent campaigns in the latter pair of years.

Either way, Limerick and Cork always has a bite to it with a large crowd expected in the Pairc.

Limerick face Cork in the first round of the National Hurling League this Saturday at 7.30pm in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

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