Limerick minors looking to create history in novel Gaelic Grounds final with Tipp

IT IS a championship that Limerick have oddly underachieved in but Saturday is a chance for the class of 2026 to win just a fourth All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship title.

With a dozen senior titles and six U20/21 crowns, this is a grade that historically has been difficult for the Shannonsiders.

In fact, the clash with Tipperary at the TUS Gaelic Grounds (3pm) is just a ninth final at minor level, and the Treaty’s first in a decade.

That team in 2016 also faced the Premier county in the All-Ireland final, when the grade was U18 and the final played as a curtain raiser to the senior final in Croke Park.

Kyle Hayes was the highest profile name in that team which also had future All-Ireland medalists Conor and Jerome Boylan from Na Piarsaigh.

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For the current crop, there is doubtless future senior inter-county stars in Diarmuid Mullins line-up.

This was seen all over the field in their semi-final over Galway in Ennis a fortnight ago.

From the teak tough corner backs Sam Mitchell and Rowan Collins to the stylish corner forwards Eamon O’Sullivan and Rian Horgan there is so much to like about this team.

In the middle of the field, south Limerick duo Xavier Neligan and Jack Roche have formed a solid partnership since Kilmallock youngster Neligan dropped back after the first round defeat. This move allowed team captain Shane Waters to move to the forwards - a shift that has paid rich dividends. The Na Piarsaigh clubman struck three from play in the first half of the win over the Tribesmen at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg and took leadership in both the responsibility of free-taking duties as well as trojan work off the ball.

The return of Ryan Foley to lead the attack at center forward completed a dangerous unit that has got progressively sharper as the campaign has gone on.

This culminated in a 1-26 return in Ennis as Limerick were much too strong from the Leinster champions in a match where both managements emptied the bench late on, giving players game-time as the result was beyond doubt.

But Tipperary will be a different proposition.

From a long way out, they were champions elect and have already beaten Limerick twice, including at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in the round robin stage of the provincial championship.

The Premier had another happy trip to the Ennis road, notching five goals past Cork in their All-Ireland semi-final at the Limerick venue.

Chris Dunne scored a hat trick while Eanna Tucker and Josh Moroney also raised green flags.

They also have Conall Morrisson and KJ Dunne in what is a lethal attack.

As is always the case at this level with players so young, there playing the match, and the occasion.

There was a crowd of 3,760 at the Munster final while both All-Ireland semis had between 2,500-3,000 in attendance. Saturday’s game may attract a crowd three times as big as well as having the pomp and circumstance that goes with an All-Ireland final.

Overcoming the occasion will be a big first step towards claiming success this weekend.

That said, it is an occasion that manager Mullins and his group are looking forward to.

“Look, we're just delighted to be there and happy that we played reasonably well in the semi-final and we are trying to build on that,” he said.

“It’s a short turnaround, two weeks, so we stick to the routine that we had in place for the vast majority of the year. We're training twice a week with a collective gym session.

“Obviously, lads are looking forward to what's going to be a great occasion for them, but focused on performing well in the match.”

A home All-Ireland final is new territory for Limerick, the minor final was traditionally played at Croke Park with the Treaty’s 1984 success taking place in Thurles to mark the centenary of the GAA.

The venue - a short journey for Tipp fans as well - should add to the atmosphere on Saturday.

“For the minor games, when they are not played with senior games, it's important that there's a compact ground that you can get a little bit of atmosphere for the game, for the lads,” said Mullins.

“There was a very good crowd at the Munster final between ourselves and Tipperary, so I'm sure there'll be a good crowd on Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds as well.

“That'll be great for the occasion and for the lads as well.”

One noticeable aspect of this Limerick team since the provincial championship is how they have improved game-on-game.

“I think we needed to improve from the quarter-final (vs Clare), we accepted that as a group afterwards,” Mullins admitted.

“The lads really trained well for the semi-final and did play well in the semi-final but we will be looking for improvements again in certain areas again for the final.

“This will be our eighth championship game, so I think we're seeing the benefit of that, that as a group you're getting regular games and I think that really brings on the players.”

For Limerick to claim a fourth All-Ireland minor championship, they will have to overcome a county traditionally strong at this level – Tipp lead the roll of honour with 22 titles.