Limerick man helps steer Éire Óg into Clare Senior Hurling Championship final

LIMERICK senior hurling selector Liam Cronin played a pivotal role in guiding Éire Óg into the Clare senior hurling championship final over the weekend. 

Éire Óg edged past Kilmaley 1-14 to 1-12 in the Clare senior hurling championship semi-final on last Saturday evening in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg. Cronin has continued his role as coach of the Ennis based club after he got involved with the club last year. Former Clare senior hurling joint manager Gerry O'Connor is in charge of the club, O'Connor and Cronin previously worked together with the Clare senior hurling team. 

Éire Óg face Clooney Quin in the Clare senior hurling championship final on the weekend of October 4/5. 

John Kiely added Liam Cronin to the Limerick senior hurling backroom team this year. Kiely's side suffered a heartbreaking Munster final defeat to Cork after penalties and the Shannonsiders suffered a shock defeat to Dublin in the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final. Limerick will be aiming to bounce back in the 2026 season. 

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Cronin has worked with Dublin and Clare senior hurling teams and Ardscoil Rís Harty Cup teams in the past. In 2024, he was the coach of the Cork senior camogie team which won the All-Ireland title. He was also coach of the Limerick minor hurling side with Shane Dowling in 2024. 

Cronin spoke with Leader Sport last year and he explained that his coaching journey started when he was back in college with his club Cappamore. 

“I do see an awful lot of overlaps between my profession on a day to day basis teaching and coaching. I was lucky enough 24 years ago to get the job in Ardscoil Rís. It's probably then that my coaching interest and career took off. I really enjoy working with players, trying to improve them and trying to get them to work together.”

Numerous Limerick and Clare players who attended Ardscoil Rís have went onto to win All-Ireland medals with their counties where the east Limerick native works as a teacher. 

“Anytime I'm part of a management team, I prefer to be on the coaching side of things as opposed to be on the managing side of things. I think, I'm at my best when I'm dealing with the players on the pitch. The biggest satisfaction of all is to see so many of our past pupils win All-Irelands with Clare and Limerick.”