Limerick's season hinges on Waterford clash this Sunday

LIMERICK take on Waterford in what is, essentially, a do-or-die game in TUS Gaelic Grounds this Sunday with an attendance of 35,000 expected at the hotly-anticipated fixture.

It's reported that Mike Casey and Darragh O'Donovan are back in training after their injuries, while Sean Finn is expected to be ruled out with a hamstring injury - but the injury is not expected to be long-term.

The team for Sunday is expected to be named on Friday evening after training. After a showery Saturday, the weather is expected to clear for Sunday's Munster Senior Hurling Championship clash.

The permutations heading into the final round of Munster senior hurling championship games this weekend will ensure the identity of the three sides to advance in the championship.

The game will be live from Limerick on RTE2 TV at 4pm, while Clare make the trip to Thurles to face Tipperary at the same time on Sunday.

Limerick are currently top of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship round-robin series, but, given the tight nature of the competition, the Shannonsiders could be eliminated from the championship on Sunday if things don't go their way. 

There are a lot of permutations for Limerick hurling supporters to wrap their head around ahead of Sunday.  A win for Limerick and Clare would see a repeat of last year's Munster final, while Cork would go through in third place.

If Clare and Waterford win or Tipp and Clare draw and Waterford win this weekend, Limerick's 2024 championship campaign will be brought to an end.

A draw in both games would see Limerick vs Clare in the Munster decider with Waterford going through in third place.

If Tipperary and Limerick win or Limerick win and it finishes level between Clare and Tipp, it will be Limerick against Clare in the Munster final and Cork would go through in third place.

A Tipp and Waterford win will see the Deise reach the Munster final, while scoring difference will come into the equation between Limerick, Cork and Clare.

READ MORE: Broadcast details confirmed for Limerick's crunch Munster SHC clash with Waterford

If Clare win and Limerick and Waterford draw it would also mean a Limerick and Clare Munster final and Waterford would go through in third.

If Tipp win and Limerick draw, Limerick will reach the Munster final and scoring difference will come into the equation between Cork, Clare and Waterford.

If John Kiely's side can reach a Munster final, they will contest the provincial decider on June 9.

Thurles is likely to be the venue for that clash if it involves Limerick and Clare or Limerick and Waterford.

While there is a slim chance of Limerick facing Cork in the decider then that game would take place in the TUS Gaelic Grounds as there is home and away agreement between Limerick and Cork. Limerick last played Cork in 2014 in a Munster final which was in Cork.