Limerick greats Mark Foley and TJ Ryan look back on Ciaran Carey's wonder point against Clare in 1996

LIMERICK and Clare have produced some epic games of hurling over the decades.

One game that stands out for Mark Foley and TJ Ryan is the 1996 Munster SHC Semi-final between the counties when Ciaran Carey scored a wonder point for Limerick against Clare in the dying moments as the Shannonsiders prevailed 1-13 to 0-15.
Both players lined out for Limerick that day and have fond memories of the game.

“The one thing that people don't appreciate is that the fact that was a knockout game and it was a Munster semi-final. You knew going to game you were either going to be in a Munster final or out of the championship. That added a huge amount to the game. It was real old school stuff, we came into the Ennis Road then and it was just bumper to bumper. The fans were all the way from the Woodfield, all the way down the Ennis Road. It was packed and it felt like a Munster final. It's a real stand-out moment and Ciaran's winner was probably the greatest winner of all time because it decided the game,” said Mark Foley.

TJ Ryan describes that score as a “magical moment” for Limerick hurling. “I don't think that will ever leave my mind for lots of reasons. It was just an incredible score to win a game and that's my favourite memory of Limerick and Clare games.”

Numerous players have went to school together in Ardscoil Ris or even college at UL, Mary I or TUS. Mark Foley and TJ Ryan feel there is a healthy rivalry between the counties.

Both counties have seen Tipperary and Cork dominate the Munster championship. Cork sit at the top at the roll of honour with 54 Munster titles, while Tipperary are in second with 42 Munster titles. Limerick have won 24 Munster championships and Clare have experienced provincial success on six occasions.

TJ Ryan is a man who has managed and played with the Limerick senior hurlers.

Since retiring from inter-county hurling, Mark Foley and TJ Ryan have enjoyed the journey of supporting the Limerick senior hurlers.

Limerick can create history this weekend by becoming the first county to win six Munster Senior Hurling Championship titles in-a-row. TJ Ryan feels it is an incredible achievement to be going for six-in-a-row this weekend. 

“I think there is plenty of arguments of where this team lies in terms of historically. I know it's an awful lot of subjective conversations. This will factually say that they're best team in Munster of all time.”

Foley believes John Kiely's side are in a fantastic position heading into this weekend's Munster decider.

“I think the team are improving as the championship goes on. I'd be very happy with the progress and certainly the performances from Limerick have been encouraging. I think they'll be looking to perform better this time round than the last two Munster finals.”