Limerick senior hurlers host Clare in crucial Munster championship clash

Limerick's Kyle Hayes tries to escape the attention of several Waterford players in their Munster SHC game last week. PICTURE: Sportsfile

placeholder image — Limerick's Kyle Hayes tries to escape the attention of several Waterford players in their Munster SHC game last week. PICTURE: Sportsfile

LIMERICK and Clare face off this Saturday evening at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in both county’s second fixture of the 2023 Munster Senior Hurling Championship.

The provincial and All-Ireland champions got off to a winning start after beating Waterford in their first fixture, while Clare are looking to bounce back from their defeat to Tipperary.

Limerick come into the game as strong favourites but there was very little between the sides in the two meetings last year.

John Kiely’s side needed a Diarmaid Byrnes late free to come away from Cusack Park with a draw in their Round Robin fixture. The Patrickswell sharpshooter scored nine points in the 0-24 to 1-21 draw, while Tony Kelly fired over 16 of his own.

The sides met again in the Munster Final and provided a game for the ages. Gearóid Hegarty scored a stunning goal in what was the tightest of contests.

Limerick captain Declan Hannon looked to have sealed victory for his side, only for Kelly to send the game into extra time with an extraordinary point from a sideline cut. However, Limerick prevailed in the end with Hegarty’s goal eventually proving the difference.

Limerick have edged the last number of meetings with Clare's last win coming in the Round Robin back in 2018. Kiely's charges will know that improvements will be needed if they are to earn a second victory in this year’s competition.

Although they only had six wides against Waterford, Limerick missed several goal chances with Hegarty and Aaron Gillane (twice) both denied by excellent stops by Billy Nolan.

Clare will be smarting from conceding five goals in that loss to Tipperary and there is no doubt that tightening up defensively would have been a major focus for Brian Lohan and his backroom team all week.

A win for Limerick would put them in a great position ahead of three-week break before their next game. The game has a 7pm start and is live on GAAGO.