Limerick tackle Wicklow in Tailteann Cup semi-final showdown at Croke Park

LIMERICK are looking to create history this weekend when they face Wicklow in the Tailteann Cup semi-final at GAA HQ, Croke Park this Sunday, 2pm.

Jimmy Lee's side are in uncharted territory after last weekend's impressive quarter-final victory over Wexford.

The Shannonsiders’ find themselves in the semi-finals of the Tailteann Cup for the first time since the competition began in 2022.

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The same can also be said for their Leinster opponents who also find themselves in the final four for the first time. The Garden County have enjoyed a positive run in this year's competition. After an opening round defeat to Offaly, Oisín McConville's side quickly found their feet with back-to-back group stage wins over Laois and Waterford.

They joined Limerick in the semi-finals after an impressive comeback win over Westmeath on Sunday, one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Limerick won't fear Wicklow, nor should they, as they continued their 100% record in this year's competition with an eight point win over Wexford in the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday evening.

That victory followed a flawless group phase where the Shannonsiders dispatched London, Antrim and Westmeath.
Victory for either side will see them compete in the final on July 12 against either Kildare or Fermanagh.

Speaking after the Wexford match, manager Jimmy Lee said he was pleased with how his side performed.

“We're extremely pleased to be fair about it and we set ourselves a target at the start of the year of getting back to Croke Park and we're delighted to have done that,” he said.

“Initially we're happy but like anything we have bits to work on, especially in the first half, we thought we were a bit loose around the top of the arc but look, a win is a win."

The Newcastle West native commended his side's mental resolve and pinpointed this year's league meeting with semi-final opponents Wicklow as the turning point in their season.

“Hats off to the lads, they've shown a lot of courage and resilience all through the championship and we've built that character since that Wicklow game that I often reference (Round six of the 2025 Allianz League), that was the start of it and we've evolved as time has gone by,” he added.

Limerick have been unfortunate with injuries this year and that trend continued on Sunday when wing-back Tony McCarthy was forced off in the second minute with what appeared to be a back-related injury.

When asked about the amount of injuries his side has suffered this year, manager Lee opted to focus on the positives.

“Injuries are always going to be a battle so we'll see what happens this week but initial reactions is that we're very happy,” the Limerick manager said.

“We're very happy for the lads because they deserve this. You don't always get what you deserve in life but these boys have worked hard and they do deserve this.”