SHC previews: Treaty men and Rebels to advance
June 15, 2018
Limerick fans Jonathan and Jamie Byrne (aged 9 and 7) watch the minor clash between Limerick and Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
There are two games in the Munster senior hurling championship on Sunday and here we preview both clashes down south where both final places are at stake.
Sunday, June 17th
Munster SHC round 5
Clare v Limerick, Cusack Park, 2pm - RTE
This should be a fascinating tie with the winners guaranteed a place in the Munster senior hurling championship final on July 1.
Limerick maintained their unbeaten run in the first three games of this competition by hammering Waterford at the Gaelic Grounds last weekend, while Clare dug their deepest when it mattered most late on against Tipperary in Thurles.
Now the these two are set to cross swords in Ennis in the provincial championship for the first time since 1993 and their form thus far this summer makes it quite a difficult one to call.
At one stage, Clare were as many as eight points down against Tipp before catching fire and it was ace attacker Peter Duggan that dragged them over the line in the end.
The Clooneyquin sharpshooter will take some watching from the Treaty men's defence on Sunday, while at the other end the hosts will know where the threats are in John Kiely's attack having already lost out to them twice this season in a Munster League final and Allianz League quarter-final.
Limerick get the nod here to make it three wins over their neighbours in 2018 when all's said and done on Sunday.
Verdict: Limerick
Waterford v Cork, Semple Stadium, 2pm
Not many could've envisioned Waterford's season turning out the way it has and they're facing another big ask on Sunday in trying to deny Cork a place next month's Munster decider.
Injuries and more tough luck on top of it have wrecked the Deise men's summer so far and they head for Thurles on Sunday as 5/1 outsiders to hand the Rebels their first defeat of this campaign.
It's a far cry from where Derek McGrath's charges were at the tail end of last season, having defeated this opposition by 4-19 to 0-20 to set-up an All-Ireland final date against Galway at Croke Park.
Waterford's season is over now though and it's their counterparts from Leeside that have everything to play for in this one, with even a draw working for them here if Limerick were to beat Clare in Ennis.
While these sides don't usually disappoint whenever they cross swords, the Munster champions should be fairly comfortable in this one.
Verdict: Cork
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