Remembering Limerick’s 2020 Munster Final win behind closed doors two years on

Despite a Waterford resurgence Limerick’s bench proved too much for the Deise men behind closed doors.

November 15, 2020 will live long in the memory as arguably the most unique Munster final of all time. The provincial final rarely fails to deliver, and two years ago was no exception.

But where a flurry of colourful support is normally the staple of Munster final day, two years ago an empty stadium was the ‘new normal’ as Limerick and Waterford did battle for the provincial final behind closed doors in Semple Stadium.

Limerick came into the game as defending Munster champions and All-Ireland favourites after disposing of 2019 Liam MacCarthy winners Tipperary in the semi-finals.

Waterford on the other hand were somewhat of an unknown quantity with the win over Cork in the semi-finals their first in Munster since 2017.

But they came to Thurles to play with the sides fighting out in a titanic battle with Kiely’s side persevering late on with huge experience off the bench.

With the sides finely poised heading into the waterbreak, Limerick were able to pull clear and once more assert their dominance in retaining their provincial crown.

In Thurles, Waterford came with a plan to stop Limerick’s main men. Cian Lynch and Gearoid Hegarty were targeted by the Deise while Dessie Hutchinson putting Sean Finn on the backfoot early on.

Cahill’s outfit came to suffocate Limerick, trying to beat them at their own game with both teams playing two inside forwards, while the middle third particularly busy.

Limerick started brighter with a pair of points but Waterford hit back in kind with the teams level at 0-7 apiece with 20 minutes played. Two quickfire points from the very lively Peter Casey gave the Shannonsiders the advantage as they moved into a 0-12 to 0-8 lead.

When the half-time whistle blew the Shannon men held a 0-14 to 0-11 advantage, with neither side able to fully grab the upper hand.

Waterford were not to be left behind though after the restart, drawing level by the 40th minute thanks to two Stephen Bennett frees and one from Jack Prendergast.

Limerick began to lose their composure as they hit eight second-half wides compared to just one in the first. Bennett and Waterford took advantage and moved into their maiden lead on 51 minutes.

But, eventual Hurler of the Year, Gearoid Hegarty who had been well marshalled by Calum Lyons was on hand to draw Limerick level after Waterford had briefly moved in front.

Seamus Flanagan’s introduction was met immediately with a point from the Feoganagh Castlemahon man as he restored Limerick’s lead with Hegarty doubling the advantage. Hegarty’s scores came either side of the waterbreak (remember those) as Limerick dominated the final quarter.

And after starting slowly on Hutchinson, Finn powered into the contest, utterly dominating the dangerous forward, limiting Waterford’s key forward to that solitary score with Dan Morrissey and Barry Nash furthering their reputation in the full back line.

Waterford reduced the gap from Jake Dillon but it was Graeme Mulcahy who put the final touches on the result, bagging a pair that took his tally to 0-4 overall, as Limerick claimed a unique title, retaining for the first time in 40 years.

It was to be the first of two meetings but when the sides met just a month later in the All-Ireland final, Limerick were comfortable winners as they reclaimed their All-Ireland title.

Two years on and Limerick still haven’t been beaten in the championship, completing a Munster four in a row earlier this year before going on to complete a maiden All-Ireland three in a row in July.

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane (0-10, 0-8f), Graeme Mulcahy (0-4), Peter Casey (0-3), Gearoid Hegarty, Cian Lynch (both 0-2), Diarmaid Byrnes (0-2, 0-1f, 0-1 ’65), Seamus Flanagan, Adrian Breen (both 0-1).

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes; Cian Lynch, William O’Donoghue, Gearoid Hegarty, David Reidy, Tom Morrissey; Graeme Mulcahy, Aaron Gillane, Peter Casey

Subs: Seamus Flanagan for Peter Casey, David Dempsey for Tom Morrissey (both 53), Darragh O’Donovan for David Reidy (56), Adrian Breen for Graeme Mulcahy (67)