Old rivals Limerick and Tipperary meet in league semi-final

LIMERICK senior hurlers welcome Tipperary to the TUS Gaelic Grounds this evening with a place in the Allianz Hurling League Final on the line.

John Kiely's side are aiming to reach their first league final since 2020 - a game against Clare that doubled up as the Munster SHC quarter-final due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Limerick head into the game on the back of four wins on the bounce in the league. They have produced strong displays against Clare, Galway, Westmeath and Wexford following their defeat to Cork on the opening night of the league.

They face a Tipperary side that have been rejuvenated in this year's league under new manager Liam Cahill. The Ballingarry man has led the Premier to five wins from their five games.

Laois, Kilkenny, Dublin, Waterford and Antrim have all been brushed aside by Cahill's charges during an impressive league showing to date.

The sides last met at this stage of the league back in 2018 with Tipperary coming out with a 2-31 to 1-31 win after extra-time in what was a cracking contest.

Limerick went on to win their first All-Ireland title in 45 years later in the year before winning the league the following year for the first time since 1997.

Kiely's side have reacted well to that opening loss to the Rebels with four impressive showings following that one-point defeat.
The Limerick manager has used the league campaign to blood several youngsters with Shane O'Brien, Fergal O'Connor and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh all given meaningful game time during the league.

Their introduction, as well as Cathal O'Neill, Colin Coughlan and Adam English in recent times has given Limerick a fresh look in the last 18 months. Ó Dálaigh, O'Neill and Coughlan all start in Kiely's side this evening.

Limerick versus Tipperary has a 7.30pm throw in on Saturday and is live on TG4.