All you need to know ahead of Munster senior hurling final between Limerick and Cork

THIS SATURDAY, the Limerick senior hurlers are chasing a remarkable seventh consecutive Munster Senior Hurling Championship title. 

Having made history last year as the first county in Munster to claim six provincial crowns in a row, Limerick now have the chance to further cement their status as the province’s greatest-ever side.

John Kiely’s side will welcome Cork to the TUS Gaelic Grounds for a blockbuster showdown, with throw-in set for 6pm. The Mick Mackey Cup was first presented in 2022 and is yet to leave Limerick and Cian Lynch and team-mates will be anxious to ensure the trophy in honour of the famed Castleconnell man resides on Shannonside for at least one more year.

Cork are bidding to win the provincial title for the first time since 2018. Limerick cruised to a comprehensive 3-26 to 1-16 victory over Cork during the Munster SHC round-robin series. 

Where and when is it on?

Limerick take on Cork in the Munster senior hurling championship final on Saturday evening at 6pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. The Munster SHC final is officially sold out and 43,000 supporters are expected in the Ennis road venue.

READ NEXT: WATCH: Seven in-a-row would be a ‘phenomenal achievement’ for Limerick says Barry Hennessy

Where can I watch the game?

Saturday's game will be shown live on RTÉ 2 with coverage getting underway at 5:15pm. Supporters will be able to watch highlights from the Munster SHC final on The Sunday Game at 9:30pm on RTÉ 2 . 

How are both teams lining-up?

Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely has made one change from his side that defeated Cork three weeks ago in the round-robin series for this weekend's Munster final showdown. 

Ballybrown clubman Aidan O'Connor will start his first game in the Championship for Limerick in the Munster SHC final on Saturday. O'Connor replaces Shane O'Brien on the edge of the square. 

Cork senior hurling manager Pat Ryan has made two changes from the side that defeated Waterford in the final round of Munster SHC round-robin series. Damien Cahalane replaces the injured Ger Millerick in the Cork full back line, while Diarmuid Healy makes his first start of the Munster SHC for 'the rebels'. Brian Roche drops out of the starting XV. 

Declan Dalton misses this Saturday's clash through injury, captain Robert Downey and Niall O'Leary have recovered from their respective injuries to take their place on the bench. 

Limerick: Nickie Quaid (Effin); Sean Finn (Bruff), Dan Morrissey (Ahane), Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh) ; Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Barry Nash (South Liberties); William O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh), Adam English (Doon); Gearoid Hegarty (St Patrick's), Cian Lynch (Captain, Patrickswell), Tom Morrissey (Ahane) ; Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown), David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)

Subs: Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Declan Hannon (Adare), Barry Murphy (Doon), Shane O'Brien (Kilmallock), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen), Darragh O'Donovan (Doon), Paddy O'Donovan (Effin), Cathal O'Neill (Crecora-Manister).  

CORK: Patrick Collins; Damien Cahalane, Eoin Downey, Sean O'Donoghue; Cormac O'Brien, Ciaran Joyce, Mark Coleman; Tim O'Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Diarmuid Healy, Shane Barrett, Seamus Harnedy; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes. 

SUBS: Brian Saunderson, Niall O'Leary, Robert Downey, Tommy O'Connell, Ethan Twomey, Luke Meade, Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston, Jack O'Connor, Robbie O'Flynn, Brian Roche. 

Who is the referee? 

Waterford native Thomas Walsh will referee Saturday's Munster Senior Hurling Championship final between Limerick and Cork. Walsh has refereed two of Limerick's games in the Munster SHC against Tipperary and Clare this year. 

How can I stay updated with the Limerick Leader and on limerickleader.ie? 

The Limerick Leader Sports department will be bringing viewers all the action, insight, and analysis from the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening. 

X account: @LimkLeaderSport

Website: limerickleader.ie