Last weekend, Limerick opened the Munster Hurling Championship by beating Clare by ten points. The result was a statement of intent from the 2018 All-Ireland winners who now face the holders Tipperary just a week on from their victory. Tipperary vs Limerick is at 4pm on Sunday.
Limerick had eleven different scorers in the game against Clare that doubled as the League final. In the forwards, Tom Morrissey (0-4) and Gearóid Hegarty (0-5) found their performances worthy of a Team of the Week inclusion. Likewise, the defenders got in on the action. Diarmuid Byrnes hit 0-3 and Declan Bannon got a point to justify their selections in the week’s finest fifteen.
Limerick’s second-half performance was what really set them apart from a brave Clare team. This sort of seventy-minute performance will encourage John Kiely who knows his team will need to go the distance on Sunday.
Tipp not phased by being the ones to beat
Tipperary are without the advantage of having a competitive game since the GAA’s resumption. However, the fresh legs could be an advantage in itself as the winter setting will take its toll on teams quickly.
In the run to Tipperary’s All-Ireland victory last year, Limerick were the only team to beat them. This was in the Munster final that saw a twelve-point difference between the sides. Despite eventually winning the Liam McCarthy, there will be an element of revenge on the Tipperary players’ minds.
This year, the Championship again offers a second chance via the qualifiers. However, Tipperary captain Seamus Callanan is planning on taking a more direct route this time around.
“We’re in a Munster semi-final, going through the back door is not going to enter our heads. It’s a situation you can only deal with if you’re put in it,” he said. “We’re going all out to win and not thinking that there’s a crutch to fall back on in case anything else happens.”
Limerick’s outing against Clare made them the favourites for this one with Paddy Power. They are 8/11 to defeat the holders. Meanwhile, Tipperary are 11/8 and a draw is 8/1.
RTÉ Sport are showing the game live.
Prediction: Limerick.
Munster Hurling Championship Semi-Final: Tipperary vs Limerick, Sunday, November 1st, 16:00 (Páirc Uí Chaoimh).
Watch the Full-Time Highlights of Limerick v Clare in the Munster Hurling Championship / Allianz League Hurling Final here on GAANOW!
Full-Time Score:
Limerick: 0-36
Clare: 1-23 pic.twitter.com/rklPQ46rqJ— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 25, 2020
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