Limerick minor hurlers chase first win in Munster Championship

LIMERICK face Waterford in round three of the Munster minor hurling championship this Thursday, May 2. This will be Limerick’s first home game this year with the action getting underway at 7pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The top two teams in the Munster round robin series will reach the provincial final, while third and fourth placed teams will advance to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final against the losing Leinster semi-finalists on May 25.

“Two big games to come and ensure that we do get out of Munster and tackle the All-Ireland series,’’ Limerick minor hurling manager Shane Dowling told Leader Sport following their defeat to Clare in their most recent outing in the competition.

Limerick and Waterford will both be looking to get their first win of the campaign on Thursday evening. It’s a massive incentive for both teams as a win for either team will guarantee their place into the All-Ireland series. Clare, Cork and Tipperary all sit on four points at the top of the table.

The Shannonnsiders have played two games, coming up short against Cork in round one on a final scoreline of 1-16 to 1-10, while Clare had too much for the neighbours in round two winning 0-15 to 0-9. Since the Clare game, Shane Dowling’s side had a two-week break and the Na Piarsaigh clubman will be looking for an improvement in his side's performance where they failed to score from play in Sixmilebridge.

“Their efforts and their work ethic in the first 45 minutes of the game were really good. Maybe that took its toll and it probably shouldn’t of as early as it did. In fairness they were working hard and they tried hard but their efforts on goal just dropped short, went wide and that was probably the most disappointing thing.’’

Waterford have lost three games in the round robin phase of the Munster championship to date at the hands of Clare, Tipperary and Cork ahead of Thursday's trip to the TUS Gaelic Grounds.