Revisited: Limerick's last seven Munster finals

2019

DEFENDING All-Ireland champions Limerick backed up their breakthrough success the following summer by lifting a first provincial title in six years. John Kiely’s men bounced back from a four-point defeat to Tipp in the group stage to storm to a 2-26 to 2-14 win over the Premier in the Munster final. Peter Casey scored 1-5 while Kyle Hayes got the other goal in the resounding victory. This would be the start of a historic run of six titles in a row.

The Treaty reached the final on score difference over Cork and Clare after two wins and two losses in the round robin stage of the competition.

Limerick’s bid for back-to-back All-Ireland titles ended in Croke Park in their following outing as they were defeated by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Little did we know then what would follow in the forthcoming years.

2020

THE colour and atmosphere of the Gaelic Grounds of the previous year was swapped by the eerily quiet Semple Stadium as Limerick defeated Waterford in front of empty stands during the Covid pandemic. John Kiely’s men were 0-25 to 0-21 winners in the unique November final against the Deise. Aaron Gillane notched 0-10 while Graeme Mulcahy and Peter Casey combined for 0-7 from play as Cian Lynch was awarded man of the match in Thurles.

The sides met again the following month as the Shannonsiders regained the All-Ireland title with a storming 0-30 to 0-19 victory.

That final 12 days before Christmas marked the start of the remarkable four All-Ireland titles in a row.

2021

LIMERICK completed the three-in-a-row Munster titles against Tipp as limited crowds were allowed into Pairc Ui Chaoimh. This game is best remembered for Kyle Hayes’ wonder goal as Limerick came back from 10 points down at half time to win by five. Seamus Flanagan also struck 1-3 from play as Kiely’s men stormed to a 2-29 to 3-21 victory in Cork.

More was to come from Limerick that season with the year ending in more history as the Treaty won back-to-back All-Ireland titles for the time ever.

This campaign also saw the Munster Championship played on a knockout basis for the last time with Limerick beating Cork before the success against the Premier. Kiely’s men then had wins over Waterford and the Rebels again in the All-Ireland series as Liam MacCarthy stayed Shannonside.

2022

FOR just the second time in history, Limerick won four Munster titles in a row as John Kiely’s men emulated the success of Mick Mackey’s team of the 1930s. They also beat a third different team in a final, overcoming the challenge of Clare in an extra-time classic. Seamus Flanagan led the line scoring 0-8 from play in a remarkable display. The game is also remembered for a spectacular Gearoid Hegarty goal in the first half, which levelled the game when Limerick were under the cosh.

This season marked the return of the round robin series and no Covid restrictions meaning 43,000 people paid into this Munster final. For Limerick’s home games - the wins over Waterford and Tipp - over 27,000 were at the Gaelic Grounds as normality resumed in the country, and the new normal of Limerick’s dominance on the field continued.

2023

LIMERICK edged their Shannonside rivals Clare again in 2013, scoring a 1-23 to 1-22 win in the glorious sunshine at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. The win meant that the Treaty became only the second county to achieve that remarkable five-in-a-row in the province, matching the Cork side of 1975 -1979. In front of a sell-out crowd at the Ennis Road venue, Aaron Gillane once again top-scored in a provincial decider with 1-11.

The year ended in yet more history as for the second year in a row, Limerick defeated Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.

Immortality confirmed for this remarkable group of players.

2024

A FAMILIAR foe and a familiar result as Limerick completed the six-in-a-row with the third Munster final win over Clare on the trot. There was an unusual circumstance thrown at the players however as the match was delayed by 30 minutes due to a power cut at FBD Semple Stadium. When the action eventually got underway, man of the match Gearoid Hegarty scored the goal that put Limerick six points up in the third quarter.

While the run of Munster titles continued, the run of All-Ireland crowns ended this year as Cork defeated Limerick in Croke Park for the All-Ireland semi-final.

“It might have been our sixth but it felt like our first,” said Kiely after the win.​

2025

LIMERICK’S remarkable run of success in the provincial championship came to an end after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Cork. Shane O’Brien and Aidan O’Connor got the goals for Limerick but a late Cork rally meant it was level after 70 minutes. After the extra time epic ended 2-27 to 1-30 after 90 minutes, Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston and Alan Connolly scored penalties as the Rebels regained the Munster title.

“Penalties are penalties. There’s no dress-rehearsal for this,” said Kiely after the game. “There’s no practising for this. It’s just put your best foot forward and you’re taking a shot on behalf of the group.

“I think everybody would agree it’s in normal play that a game should be finished. But listen, these are the rules, these are the procedures and we have to go with that.

The effects of this game lingered with Limerick who were under par in their next outing as Dublin defeated Kiely’s men in the Croke Park All-Ireland quarter-final in a result that sent shockwaves across the sport.

But Limerick recovered in typically admirable fashion…

2026

THREE wins on the trot has booked another Munster final for John Kiely and Limerick. Sunday’s decider give the Treaty the change to atone for the only blot on the copybook in this campaign - as Limerick return to SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh, the scene of their defeat in their 2026 Munster SHC bow.

Since then, the form has been imperious. Ten goals and finishing with the best score difference in the history of the Munster round robin shows everything has been clicking at both ends of the pitch for the Shannonsiders.

Having defeated the Rebels in the Allianz Hurling League final, Limerick won’t be short of confidence - and will be relishing the chance to take the Munster title back off Cork in their own backyard.

Another final epic awaits.