Limerick eye 'Drive for Five' in mammoth Munster SHC final with Clare

LIMERICK and Clare will meet for the eighth time in a Munster SHC final when they take to the field at the TUS Gaelic Grounds this Sunday afternoon, 1.45pm.

The Treaty county have won six of the seven meetings in the provincial decider, but it’s the Banner that have current bragging rights following their one-point round robin win in April.

Limerick come into the game after arguably their best performance of the championship with a one-point win over Cork.
The sold-out fixture is a repeat of the 2022 Munster final and another epic encounter is expected at the Ennis Road venue this Sunday afternoon.

Clare topped the table in Munster this year and Brian Lohan's men will be hell bent on claiming silverware.
The loss to Limerick in last year's Munster final derailed Clare's season and two-time All-Ireland winning player Lohan will be looking to ensure that the result goes Clare's way this time around.

They have happy recent memories of the last time they played Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The Banner deservedly came away with a one point victory, with Peter Duggan's second-half goal proving crucial.

A Séamus Flanagan three-pointer did give Limerick hope of a comeback but Clare were worthy winners on the night.
John Kiely's men come into the game after two wins, a loss and a draw from their four round robin games.

The Limerick manager has seen a return to form for a number of his big name players against Cork, while Darragh O'Donovan, Diarmaid Byrnes, Aaron Gillane and Flanagan continued their impressive form this championship.

Kiely has also seen the likes of Dan Morrissey, William O'Donoghue and Tom Morrissey continue their excellence in the 3-25 to 1-30 victory over the Rebels.

Clare have only ever beaten Limerick once in a Munster final - that win coming in 1995 when Ger Loughnane's charges dethroned Tom Ryan's Limerick. They then went on to win the All-Ireland after provincial success.

Limerick have dominated the final meetings between the rival counties with victories in 2022, 1994, 1981, 1974, 1955 and 1918. The 1955 final also took place at the Gaelic Grounds, with Liam Ryan captaining Limerick to 2-15 to 2-6 win.

Clare come into the game with doubts surrounding the fitness of full-back Conor Cleary after he picked up a serious shoulder injury in their last game against Cork.

If Cleary doesn't make it, David McInerney is likely to revert to the full back position, with Seadna Morey coming into the half back line.

Limerick and Clare are expected to play out another classic when they face off on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides will have legitimate reasons as to why they will win the game but it will be current Munster champions that will come into the game as favourites to retain the Mick Mackey Cup