John Conlon, Clare, and Gearóid Hegarty, Limerick, in Munster SHC action. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Sunday June 11
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final
Limerick v Clare, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 1.45pm, RTE
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)
During the past 12 months Limerick and Clare have delivered some epic encounters.
So there is a real sense of anticipation ahead of Sunday's Munster SHC decider.
Clare's stirring win over Limerick in the round robin phase highlighted just how purposeful and passionate Brian Lohan's team can be.
A similarly dynamic and defiant display will be required because Limerick earned a vital success over Cork.
That high stakes match illustrated Limerick's ability with John Kiely's outfit now eager to secure a fifth provincial title on the spin.
These really are exciting times for Limerick, but Clare haven't sampled Munster glory since 1998 so this will be a fascinating match.
The 2023 All-Ireland SHC.
Diarmaid Byrnes has been hugely effective for Limerick throughout the 2023 Championship, while Tom Morrissey is another player impressing for the All-Ireland champions.
Inside Aaron Gillane has registered 0-25 so far ensuring Clare will need to be diligent defensively.
Conor Cleary was an injury doubt, but he has been named at full-back for Clare, who will be primed for this battle.
Tony Kelly and Aidan McCarthy have been key figures in attack for the Banner, while centre back John Conlon remains an influential figure.
It could go the distance.
Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Mike Casey, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes; Darragh O'Donovan, William O'Donoghue; Gearóid Hegarty, Cathal O'Neill, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Séamus Flanagan, Peter Casey.
Subs: David McCarthy, Conor Boylan, Ronan Connolly, Aaron Costelloe, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Richie English, Cian Lynch, Graeme Mulcahy, Oisín O'Reilly, David Reidy.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Aidan McCarthy; Ryan Taylor, Shane O'Donnell, Mark Rodgers.
Subs: Eamonn Foudy, Cian Nolan, Ian Galvin, Shane Meehan, Aron Shanagher, Aaron Fitzgerald, Robin Mounsey, Paul Flanagan, Cian Galvin, Keith Smyth, Seadna Morey.
Huw Lawlor, Kilkenny, and Conor Whelan, Galway, in Leinster SHC action. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final
Kilkenny v Galway, Croke Park, 4pm, RTE
Referee: Seán Stack (Dublin)
Quietly, but effectively Kilkenny have collected three Leinster SHC titles in a row.
Derek Lyng's outfit will be eager to claim a 75th provincial crown against Galway, who haven't triumphed in this competition since 2018.
The group stages were mixed for these two teams, who will be striving to impress at GAA headquarters.
Galway needed to summon daring comeback missions to draw with Kilkenny and Dublin in the group stages.
Kilkenny, who have some injury concerns, suffered a disappointing defeat to a pumped up Wexford in their most recent outing.
Still Lyng will be encouraged by the scoring returns in the Championship from TJ Reid, Eoin Cody, and Martin Keoghan.
Kilkenny senior hurling manager Derek Lyng. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Claiming silverware and advancing to the All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final is a considerable prize for the victor.
Henry Shefflin's outfit were prompted by the splendid Daithí Burke and Joseph Cooney at Croke Park when the spoils were divided against Dublin.
It was sufficient to earn Galway a place in the Leinster showpiece with Evan Niland, who has scored 0-48 in the round robin phase, prominent.
Kilkenny and Galway have clashed in eight Leinster finals previously with the Cats winning five compared to Galway's two and one draw in 2018.
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; Mikey Carey, David Blanchfield, Darragh Corcoran; Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan; Tom Phelan, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.
Subs: Aidan Tallis, Conor Delaney, Pádraig Walsh, Conor Fogarty, Alan Murphy, Cian Kenny, Timmy Clifford, Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan, Billy Drennan.
Galway: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Gearóid McInerney, Darren Morrissey; Pádraic Mannion, Daithí Burke, Fintan Burke; Joseph Cooney, Ronan Glennon; Tom Monaghan, Conor Cooney, Kevin Cooney; Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon, Evan Niland.
Subs: Darach Fahy, TJ Brennan, Eoin Lawless, Adrian Tuohey, Seán Linnane, Cathal Mannion, Tiernan Killeen, Liam Collins, Declan McLoughlin, Jason Flynn, Donal O'Shea.
_Croke Park will open early on Sunday to show the Munster Hurling Final on the big screens. Stiles will open at 1.15pm_**
