Limerick's hurling season on the line against Cork

LIMERICK'S senior hurlers face into a must win game when Cork visit the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday. It is the final game of the Munster SHC round robin and nothing other than a victory will see Limerick's season come to an abrupt end before the end of May.

John Kiely's side come into the game with a win, draw and a loss after finishing level with Tipperary in Thurles last weekend.
The Limerick manager says that the result against Tipperary changes little in their preparation for the crucial clash with Cork.

"That was the case before today anyway,” the Limerick manager said of his side needing a win from the final two Munster games.

"We have got to win and Cork have got to win, It’s proper championship stuff now. It will be a tough game. Of course it will be. It’s going to be all on the table.

"Isn’t that what we are all in this for? To go after those types of games and go after those types of games. We have had a fantastic championship and we want to stay in it for as long as we possibly can."

Limerick have had the better of Cork in recent years with wins last year, twice in 2021 (including in the All-Ireland final). Cork's last victory came at the TUS Gaelic Grounds back in the 2019 Munster Championship.

Sunday's contest is the latest chapter in what has been at times a tense and bitter rivalry. Cork have watched on as Limerick have earned four All-Ireland titles in recent years.

Cork's last Liam MacCarthy triumph came back in 2005 and Pat Ryan is the latest manager tasked with bringing Liam back down to Leeside.

The Rebels would have been disappointed not to have come away with something from Ennis last week but Ryan has plenty to be happy about, especially the fighting spirit that seems to be now throughout his panel.

They were whiskers away from a comeback against Clare and showed big fighting qualities to earn a draw in their contest with Tipperary.

Ryan will feel that he has enough weapons at his disposal to cause a faltering Limerick side plenty of headaches by the time throw-in approaches.

Patrick Horgan has found a new lease of life under Ryan, while Declan Dalton continues to highlight his growing importance with each game that passes.

A return to fitness for Seamus Harnedy has also boosted Cork greatly. Both sides have legitimate reasons to believe that they will be still in the mix by 6pm tonight.

For one, the season will continue in either the Munster Final or the All-Ireland series. For the other, a long wait for their next championship game begins.

Limerick's game with Cork on Sunday has a 4pm throw-in at the TUS Gaelic Grounds and will have live coverage from the national broadcaster on RTÉ2.