Battle lines drawn for Limerick v Clare sell-out

THOSE WHO won’t be able to make it to TUS Gaelic Grounds this Sunday due to capacity limitations “will enjoy it just as much at home” predicts the Limerick hurling manager ahead of what’s been described as “one of the biggest sporting occasions in Europe this weekend”.

John Kiely was speaking, of course, about the Munster hurling final - the contest which everyone is talking about as we enter the final countdown to the big showpiece.

Speaking at a press conference this Tuesday afternoon, the senior hurling manager predicted a “fantastic atmosphere” at the TUS Gaelic Grounds as the Treaty men bid for a record-equalling fifth Munster title in-a-row.

Tickets are like gold dust for the game, which throws in at 1.45pm, with clubs experiencing “unprecedented demand”.

And the terrace tickets put on public sale by Ticketmaster sold out in just 23 minutes last week.

“You'll have a fantastic atmosphere here but unfortunately some won’t be able to make it due to the capacity limitations. I think those at home will enjoy it just as much as those here,” said Kiely to the assembled press pack.

Paul Foley, the chair of TUS Gaelic Grounds said: “It's one of the biggest sporting events in Europe. What an occasion it's going to be! An occasion to savour.”

At present, the weather forecast for the city on Sunday is for possible light rain, but with temperatures remaining above 20 degrees Celsius.

Limerick will be looking to avenge a one-point defeat to Clare at this venue earlier in the provincial championship.

If they do this, they will become only the second county to win five Munster hurling titles in a row, emulating Cork's hurlers of 1901 to 1905 and 1982 to 1986.

While Limerick’s GAA headquarters will be packed out this weekend, the same will be true of pubs and clubs right across the county.

Keeping this in mind, a court application is being made later this week which if granted, will allow publicans in Limerick and its surrounds to open up at 9am, rather than the traditional Sunday opening hour of 12.30pm.

The scramble for tickets has sadly left many fans disappointed.

“There's always going to be people disappointed, whether Munster final or All-Ireland final, no matter when you have it or where you have it. I think what you'll find is you'll have an even number of people from both counties here on Sunday. And tickets have been split down the middle,” John Kiely continued.

Limerick people warned over social media 'scammers' claiming to have Munster final tickets

Clubs from across Limerick have been reporting extreme demand for tickets at the 44,000-capacity Ennis Road venue.

Newcastle West GAA wrote on Twitter: “Our allocation of tickets will not cover even 25% of the requests we received.

“In light of same, we will not be in a position to give people multiple tickets”.

Bruff GAA added: “We are hopeful but not confident of getting more tickets later in the week. Demand has been unprecedented.”

And Tournafulla GAA added: “We won't be able to supply all the tickets people asked for.”

Meanwhile, supporters have been warned to only purchase tickets from legitimate sources ahead of Sunday's match.

In the wake of terrace tickets selling out, a number of tickets were for sale on the social media network Twitter.

A number of fans who were asked to transfer money have reported being blocked by the Twitter user purporting to offer the ticket after money was sent.

The chairman of Limerick Council's Joint Policing Committee, Cllr Adam Teskey described the move as “scurrilous” and urged gardai to clamp down on the activity.

“In a time where we have a severe cost-of-living crisis, to be out of pocket to this scurrilous act of crime has to be completely condemned,” he said.