Limerick and Cork can book their spots in Munster final

Michael Mulvihill thinks Limerick have too much firepower for Clare

Limerick's Kyle Hayes is one of the best attackers in the modern gameCredit: ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Munster Hurling Championship

Clare v Limerick
Cusack Park, RTE, 2pm Sunday

Clare welcome Limerick to Cusack Park on Sunday with both sides having won last week.

Clare were two points behind Tipperary when the clock hit 70 minutes at Semple Stadium but points from Peter Duggan secured their first victory over Tipperary in Thurles in 90 years, while Limerick completely outplayed Waterford, hitting 2-14 in the first half.

Even 100 minutes of hurling couldn’t separate these sides when they met in the league quarter-final in March, with Limerick coming out on top after a free-taking competition, and the tight confines of Cusack Park should ensure this is a tight battle between the neighbours.

Clare’s championship run has been hit-and-miss so far as they were outplayed by Cork in their opening game but they took full advantage of an injury-ravaged Waterford side when they met at Cusack Park. Waterford were reduced to 14 men during that encounter, making Clare’s task much easier, and they were perhaps flattered by that result.

They managed to keep in touch with Tipperary last week while being outplayed with key man Tony Kelly hitting wides at crucial stages. The introduction of Podge Collins, however, changed the game and when he set Ian Galvin up for a 65th-minute goal Clare were given a lifeline.

Peter Duggan was the star for Clare and he hit two injury-time points to secure the victory. For Limerick, keeping tabs on a dangerous Clare forward line which includes the likes of Shane O’Donnell, will be key.

Limerick have been the form team in the Munster Championship, will look to keep their unbeaten record and book their place in a first Munster final since their 2014 loss to Cork. Limerick have developed a young side on the back of their two Under-21 All-Ireland wins and their short passing style suits them.

Cian Lynch has been the linchpin for Limerick since his move to midfield and plays an extremely exciting brand of hurling linking defence to attack.

This has all the makings of another classic Munster Championship encounter in a year that has been full of them and the sold-out signs were up within hours of the sides’ wins last Sunday.

Clare look to have returned to their form of old but they will need Tony Kelly and Podge Collins to be firing. They looked vulnerable in defence last weekend and if the Limerick forward line can keep up their good form they could be unstoppable.

There have been 50 or more total points scored in five of the six games these teams have played in the championship.

Confidence is certainly high in the Limerick camp and Clare may struggle to stop their unbeaten run.

Recommendations
Limerick
3pts 5-6 Betfair, Hills, Paddy Power
Over 50.5 points
2pts 5-6 Paddy Power

Waterford v Cork
Semple Stadium, 2pm Sunday

All-Ireland finalists Waterford play their final game of 2018 on Sunday and Derek McGrath’s side can count themselves unlucky to be exiting the championship at such an early stage.

They were ravaged by early injuries and the schedule quickly took its toll as the championship rolled on. They put up a huge fight against Tipperary in round three but came up short and they looked tired against Limerick last Sunday.

While they’ll look to put up a big performance for possibly Derek McGrath’s last game as well as Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh’s record-breaking 74th championship appearance, a win looks beyond their capabilities.

Cork will be disappointed to have only four points but their fate is in their own hands and they can book their Munster final spot with a win. They were comfortable victors over Clare in round one but, having led by Tipperary by nine points at half-time, only came away with a draw.

Their first-half performance was devastating in that game, with their full-forward line hitting 1-12 from play, but they failed to fire all over the field in the second half. They met Limerick in their last outing but failed to capitalise on having an extra man for most of the game, once again just coming away with one point.

Cork were knocked out of last year’s championship by Waterford at the semi-final stage and they’ll be keen to quickly atone for that loss.

They should have too much firepower for Waterford and with a Munster final upcoming, they will want to set out their stall for the rest of 2018 with a big performance.

Recommendations
Cork -6
2pts 10-11 BoyleSports

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