Hurling frenzy between Limerick and Cork lights up summer

FORGET Taylor Swift, Glastonbury and the Euros, the biggest spectacle of the summer so far will be in a sold-out Croke Park this Sunday at 4pm when Limerick and Cork go toe-to-toe on the hallowed turf.

It’s like All-Ireland final day, such is the demand for tickets. There wasn’t one semi-final ticket available on Ticketmaster this Tuesday for the 82,300 capacity stadium which will be a riot of green and red colours.

Limerick fans have fond memories of Nickie Quaid’s famous flick in 2018 and Peter Casey’s hurling masterclass before injury in 2021 in previous clashes between the sides, while Cork supporters will be hoping for a repeat of their team's dominance of the Limerick half-back line in this year’s Munster championship.

There is only one topic of conversation on either side of the Limerick-Cork border with Charleville at its epicentre. Former

Limerick hurler and Cavanaghs of Charleville employee, Sean Herlihy said it “doesn't get much bigger than this”.

“There is always great craic here between staff and customers with nearly a 50/50 split between the two sets of supporters.

“Down through the years there has always been huge rivalry but this week feels special, it's going to be a hugely tight game between Limerick and Cork,” said Sean.

He isn’t the only man working in the car dealership who represented their county as Cork’s Darren Ronan has pulled on the Rebels’ jersey. Indeed Cavanaghs can’t lose as one of their brand ambassadors - Aaron Gillane or Darragh Fitzgibbon will be through to an All-Ireland final.

Sean is backing Aaron while Darren is behind Darragh, who lives on the Limerick side of the border in Creggane, Charleville and is a first cousin of Limerick and Doon hurler Richie English.

Six in-a-row Munster champions, Limerick look to have a number of players returning from injury, making it a tough task for John Kiely and his management team to pick a starting 15.

Sean Finn, Seamus Flangan and Darragh O'Donovan didn't feature in the Munster final win over Clare but are all back in full training ahead of Sunday's semi-final tie.

Finn and Flanagan were among 25 used by manager John Kiely and his management team across the five games of the provincial campaign but Darragh O'Donovan hasn't featured to date as he battled back to full match fitness after a calf injury sustained during the Allianz Hurling League.

Waterford's Thomas Walsh will be the man in the middle for the clash of the Treaty men against the Rebels. Extra-time was required when the two counties met in the All-Ireland semi-final in 2018 after Limerick came back from the dead and a repeat can't be ruled out on Sunday.