Munster final win in 2013 paved the way for future Limerick success

IT IS 10 years since Limerick got themselves back on the hurling map with victory over Cork in Munster Final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The county had been in the doldrums over the few previous years, with an appearance in the 2007 All-Ireland final, the bright spark in some very dark days.

Corkman John Allen was the manager of the side in 2013 and helped to bring Munster glory to the county for the first time since 1996 - a gap of 17 years. Current Limerick boss, John Kiely, was a selector with Allen during his two-year stint.

Limerick came from nowhere to beat a fancied Cork side on that blistering hot July afternoon in the Treaty city. Over 42,000 people thronged to the Ennis Road venue to see Limerick earn a nine-point win over the Rebels.

The victory ushered in glorious scenes that have been repeated many times since with multiple Munster and All-Ireland victories that have followed.

It would be another five years before Limerick would reclaim the Liam MacCarthy Cup after such a long wait but there is no doubt the seeds of the 2018 win were sewn on that day.

Limerick were also in the minor decider on July 14 and a late Tom Morrissey goal saw Limerick earn a 2-19 to 2-19 draw with Waterford. Limerick went on to win the replay, before being beaten by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Seven of the players that played in that game, Richie English, Sean Finn, Darragh O'Donovan, Barry Nash, Cian Lynch Morrissey and Mike Casey have gone on to win multiple All-Irelands.

Three of Limerick's starters in the senior win over Cork remain on the panel 10 years later. Nickie Quaid, Declan Hannon and Graeme Mulcahy, while team captain Donal O'Grady is now a selector.

The senior side's hopes of All-Ireland success ended against Clare at Croke Park but the Munster win was a crucial part in giving the teams that followed the confidence that success for Limerick was a possibility.