Stage is set for Limerick's league final with Kilkenny

LIMERICK'S senior hurlers go in search of a third Allianz Hurling League title under John Kiely this Sunday when they face Kilkenny in the decider at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Kiely's charges head into the game in fine form following victories against Clare, Galway, Westmeath and Wexford in the group stage after an opening night defeat to Cork.

Limerick then saw off a strong Tipperary challenge to set up Sunday's mouthwatering fixture against Derk Lyng's Kilkenny.

Lyng is in his first year in the Kilkenny hotseat after being given the unenviable task of taking over from Brian Cody. He has a good pedigree as a player and coach, guiding the 'Cats' to U20 All-Ireland success against Limerick last year.

Kilkenny have a similar league record to Limerick in this year's league with five wins and one defeat to their name. Lyng's charges began with a win over Antrim but followed that up with a poor performance at home to Tipperary in their next outing.

However, Kilkenny got back on track with wins over Laois, Dublin and Waterford that helped them into a semi-final fixture against Cork, which they won on a 2-22 to 0-22 scoreline.

"Delighted to be there," was John Kiely’s reaction after the semi-final win over Tipperary. "One thing we know is that it is going to be a really tough game.

"We just want to keep improving week to week. That's where our focus is at. In the next two weeks, we are going to see if we can rise the bar a little bit further for ourselves and hopefully the competitiveness within the group.

"I think a lot of lads put their hands up with that second-half performance and that's only going to be good from a competitiveness perspective in terms of team selection for the next day as well."

Limerick and Kilkenny have met four times in previous league finals, with the 'Cats' earning victories in 2006, 1982 and 1932, while Limerick won in 1947.

The fixture on Sunday is a repeat of last year's All-Ireland where Limerick came out victorious on a 1-31 to 2-26 victory.

Both management's have used this year's league to unearth new players with Kilkenny's Billy Drennan being arguably the star turn in the competition.

The Galmoy clubman has landed 2-65 so far in the league and has slotted into the Kilkenny senior setup with minimum fuss. Drennan is still available for the county's U20 side this year.

Limerick have also blooded the likes of Shane O'Brien and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh , while Cathal O'Neill is another young gun that has impressed since he returned from injury.

Limerick are justifiable favourites for Sunday's league final but Kilkenny will be looking to get life under Lyng off to a winning start.

This weekend's Allianz Hurling League Final has a 2pm throw-in and is live on TG4.