Limerick travel to Thurles to face Tipperary for crucial National Hurling League clash

THE Limerick senior hurlers will be looking to make it two wins on the bounce in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League when they travel to Thurles to face All-Ireland champions Tipperary on Saturday evening.

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John Kiely's charges bounced back impressively from their opening round defeat to Waterford in Walsh Park with a seven point victory over Kilkenny at the Gaelic Grounds last time out.

A win for Limerick this weekend would see them sit level with Liam Cahill's Tipp side on four points having played a game less than the 'Premier County.'

2023 All-Ireland champions Limerick will be looking for a strong finish to their league campaign as the Shannonsiders gear up for what is sure to be another blockbuster Munster championship this summer.

John Kiely's side will be looking to bounce back from last year's disappointing quarter-final exit at the hands of Dublin in Croke Park. Former Limerick star Declan Hannon says that ‘there will be massive hunger there this year’ as Limerick look to get their hands on Liam MacCarthy once again.

"There will be massive hunger there this year. It ended disappointingly last year but on the day against Dublin they were just deserved winners.

"We couldn't look back and say that we deserved to win that game, but that's the level of the inter-county scene, if you're any bit off, you'll be beaten and Dublin were deserved winners.

"There will definitely be a bit of hurt and anger there but the boys are so experienced that they know it's just about performing on the day and trying to transfer that hurt and hunger into a performance, so I'm looking forward to seeing how that pans out over the next few months. 

"I think the lads will very much be putting their hands up for accolades come the end of the year. I think they will be there or thereabouts because of the standard of player, the standard of person in that group.

"There's a lot of really, really good players there. The last few years probably didn't go to plan, but those players haven't turned bad or anything overnight so there's plenty there to be optimistic about," he said.

Hannon was also ‘delighted’ to see the return of renowned Performance Psychologist Caroline Currid to the Limerick set-up for 2026.

"I was delighted when I saw she was back. Her record speaks for itself," Adare clubman Hannon said.

"When she's been there with Limerick, we've won and when she hasn't been there, we haven't won. It's an amazing record to have and she'll bring another level of confidence into the group I would say.

"Having her around the place, from my experience, she puts you at ease. We all have such respect and trust in what she does and the lads will benefit hugely from having her back in the set-up."

Throw-in for Limerick's league clash with Tipp at Thurles this Saturday is 5.30pm, live on RTÉ2 TV.