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The Limerick 5 In A Row, Will They Do It?

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I'm surprised there is not much noise surrounding this with the Championship just around the corner.

If there was ever a hurling side to do it, it is this outstanding Limerick outfit.

They could soon become the greatest Hurling team of all time, arguably they are up there already.

But.. let's see, there will be a couple of teams gunning for them, hoping to stop them, I wonder how Kilkenny are feeling at the moment?

I know there was huge motivation for Kerry to stop Dublin, and they very nearly did..if it wasn't for Stephen Cluxton, Kevin Mac and Dean Rock making vital contributions when their backs were against the wall.

Like Kerry, Kilkenny are the historic king pins and it'll hurt them seeing Limerick take such an accolade and tge sane very much applies to Cork.

I wonder will Limerick do it in style or have a scare along the way

There's huge motivation there for them, but also plenty for their competitors in trying to stop them.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20689 - 19/03/2024 12:42:40    2532114

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I don't see anyone who can stop them Jimbo. I don't think there's anyone in Munster who'll stop them.

Clare seem to give them a good game but always seem to come up short.
Cork are nowhere near them.
Tipperary the same.
Waterford are going backwards at a serious rate at the moment.

That leaves Galway and the Cats as possible challengers. I can't see Galway living with them for 70 minutes. I haven't rated Kilkenny the last few years but they've proved me wrong in their games against Limerick of late. Pregame I wouldn't have given the Cats any chance but they've performed very well, but still crucially coming up short.

Anything can still happen of course but at the moment, it looks like the other counties would need Limerick to pick up some crucial injuries or suspensions during the season.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13779 - 19/03/2024 14:02:31    2532146

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"I'm surprised there is not much noise surrounding this with the Championship just around the corner."

Maybe because the League hasn't finished.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2655 - 19/03/2024 14:22:14    2532151

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Replying To MesAmis:  "I don't see anyone who can stop them Jimbo. I don't think there's anyone in Munster who'll stop them.

Clare seem to give them a good game but always seem to come up short.
Cork are nowhere near them.
Tipperary the same.
Waterford are going backwards at a serious rate at the moment.

That leaves Galway and the Cats as possible challengers. I can't see Galway living with them for 70 minutes. I haven't rated Kilkenny the last few years but they've proved me wrong in their games against Limerick of late. Pregame I wouldn't have given the Cats any chance but they've performed very well, but still crucially coming up short.

Anything can still happen of course but at the moment, it looks like the other counties would need Limerick to pick up some crucial injuries or suspensions during the season."
Clare may have come up short in the Munster finals but we are still the only team to have beaten them in the Championship in recent times with our win in the Gaelic Grounds last year.

This is an unbelievable Limerick team and the best team I have seen in my lifetime bar none.

In my opinion, the only way Limerick will be beat this year is to be beaten in Munster. There were chances to knock them out last year but once they got through Munster they were impossible to stop. I cant seen anyone from Leinster touching them.

Clare have gone toe to toe with Limerick but crucially lost when it counted in both Munster finals. I also believe our semi final games the last 2 years have let us down but I genuinely believe that we are the closest to Limerick. I guess though that is for the Limerick lads to decide but the first round game in Ennis this year is crucial for both teams (more so us probably). Limerick historically have struggled to get wins in Ennis and I hope that continues. If we lose we are in trouble as we have a trip to Cork the next week. A draw wouldnt be the worst result for both teams.

With the Munster championship around the corner, my money is on Clare, Limerick and Cork to progress. I cant see anything out of Waterford that gives them hope and Tipperary have chances but i feel they are not as good as the top 3.

In Leinster it looks fairly certain that Galway and KK will coast through with Wexford probably following them. I am not sure what games you are referring to when you say that KK have proiven you wrong with their performances against Limerick. Sure they were game enough in the final in 2022 but were blown out of it last year!

I fully expect Limerick to do the 5 in a row and I cant see them beaten if they come out of Munster which they are very likely to do but the Munster championship has been a war in recent times so you never know.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 19/03/2024 14:47:11    2532157

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Yes they will.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13886 - 19/03/2024 15:12:30    2532167

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There is absolutely no talk about this in Limerick, all the focus will be on the first match and then it will move to the game after that and so on. There will be a puck of a ball between the teams and getting out of Munster against an established and seasoned Clare team an upcoming Cork team, a goal scoring Tipp team and an unknown Waterford team will be massive hurdles to overcome.

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 411 - 19/03/2024 15:16:21    2532170

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I'm very hopeful but also very aware that it could blow up very quickly as well..
I would have thought going for 3 and 4 in a row with the injuries we had to Finn, Hannon, Lynch etc would have been a bridge too far but this incredible team just find a way.

I'm holding my breath until the Clare game. Win that and we're in a very good place, lose and it's going to be interesting.. That said we lost to Clare last year and drew with Tipp only to end up winning Munster.

No one here talks about it much,but that's because I think we're a bit dizzy with the heights we've scaled these last few years... Getting out of Munster is key. Do that and we'll be hard to stop. Luimneach abu!!

skillet (Limerick) - Posts: 1103 - 19/03/2024 16:17:38    2532190

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Replying To Fitzy01:  "There is absolutely no talk about this in Limerick, all the focus will be on the first match and then it will move to the game after that and so on. There will be a puck of a ball between the teams and getting out of Munster against an established and seasoned Clare team an upcoming Cork team, a goal scoring Tipp team and an unknown Waterford team will be massive hurdles to overcome."
I agree. It's very quiet in Limerick. I think everyone realises that there is a reason nobody has very done 5 in a row because its damn hard to do. It is a massive challenge but if any one can do it it might be this team.

Getting out of Munster is hard. Remember Limerick were only one score away from getting eliminated in last years round robin. Having to Play Clare in Ennis and Cork in Cork this year are two of the most difficult assignments you can get in Hurling. Tipperary never fear Limerick, even in the Gaelic Grounds and Waterford like last year will being Madness or something different.

If you offered us 3rd Place in Munster right now we would bite your hand off for it.

If Limerick can get to Croke Park I would imagine confidence levels and noise will go up a notch or tow I'd imagine

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 94 - 19/03/2024 16:18:25    2532192

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Replying To Fitzy01:  "There is absolutely no talk about this in Limerick, all the focus will be on the first match and then it will move to the game after that and so on. There will be a puck of a ball between the teams and getting out of Munster against an established and seasoned Clare team an upcoming Cork team, a goal scoring Tipp team and an unknown Waterford team will be massive hurdles to overcome."
That's good philosophy. One game at a time, and Munster is a minefield. Cork vs Limerick last year in Gaelic grounds was down to a puck of a ball. Game had everything…. Goals.. good hurling, referee controversy which Joe Canning highlighted, but once Limerick emerged from Munster, they cruised home. Leinster looks like Galway, Kilkenny and Wexford and Munster is too difficult to predict. Limerick, Tipp, Cork and Clare are going well and Waterford will be dangerous in championship!

Ryanteam (Cork) - Posts: 385 - 19/03/2024 16:25:45    2532194

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Replying To Ryanteam:  "That's good philosophy. One game at a time, and Munster is a minefield. Cork vs Limerick last year in Gaelic grounds was down to a puck of a ball. Game had everything…. Goals.. good hurling, referee controversy which Joe Canning highlighted, but once Limerick emerged from Munster, they cruised home. Leinster looks like Galway, Kilkenny and Wexford and Munster is too difficult to predict. Limerick, Tipp, Cork and Clare are going well and Waterford will be dangerous in championship!"
Will need their key men to stay fit and playing well

GCCABU (Westmeath) - Posts: 18 - 19/03/2024 16:49:30    2532200

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  ""I'm surprised there is not much noise surrounding this with the Championship just around the corner."

Maybe because the League hasn't finished."
It will be interesting if Limerick and Clare end up in league final… only to meet again in championship a few weeks later. James Skehill and Paul Murphy discussed this on "The hurling pod" and suggested that both teams would prefer to have the game double as championship fixture. League is final is too close to championship round robin.

Ryanteam (Cork) - Posts: 385 - 19/03/2024 17:01:16    2532202

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Replying To Ryanteam:  "That's good philosophy. One game at a time, and Munster is a minefield. Cork vs Limerick last year in Gaelic grounds was down to a puck of a ball. Game had everything…. Goals.. good hurling, referee controversy which Joe Canning highlighted, but once Limerick emerged from Munster, they cruised home. Leinster looks like Galway, Kilkenny and Wexford and Munster is too difficult to predict. Limerick, Tipp, Cork and Clare are going well and Waterford will be dangerous in championship!"
Yes Ryan, you never look past the next game in Munster. Lose one game and one is struggling

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 19/03/2024 17:28:14    2532210

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Last year I predicted that Limerick would struggle through Munster but do enough to qualify… I obviously didn't think it would be as tight as it was and I'm sure Limerick got a bit of a shock as to how close they came to being dumped out… For that reason I think they will be more clinical in Munster this season and it's hard to see anyone stopping them when (and if )they reach Croke Park… They are without a shadow of doubt the greatest Hurling team that has ever played the game… I for one hope they create history and achieve the 5 in a row…!!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3029 - 19/03/2024 18:15:34    2532216

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Replying To Ryanteam:  "It will be interesting if Limerick and Clare end up in league final… only to meet again in championship a few weeks later. James Skehill and Paul Murphy discussed this on "The hurling pod" and suggested that both teams would prefer to have the game double as championship fixture. League is final is too close to championship round robin."
League final is fixed for April 7th and clare v Limerick in Ennis is only two weeks later on the 21st. I heard that on the pod too. I assume it just won't be a runner. For instance if it was a draw in Ennis would both captains share the Cup. Be some sight :). There are 2 big games to play this weekend first.

On the munster championship again its going to be wild. I think dalo has already coined the first Sunday "Savage Sunday". Might be a day to leave the small ones home.

daveboy (Limerick) - Posts: 1197 - 19/03/2024 18:24:11    2532219

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It'll be a lot easier for Limerick doing the 5 in a row than it was for Dublin!

Onion_Sack (Dublin) - Posts: 256 - 19/03/2024 19:40:56    2532231

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "Clare may have come up short in the Munster finals but we are still the only team to have beaten them in the Championship in recent times with our win in the Gaelic Grounds last year.

This is an unbelievable Limerick team and the best team I have seen in my lifetime bar none.

In my opinion, the only way Limerick will be beat this year is to be beaten in Munster. There were chances to knock them out last year but once they got through Munster they were impossible to stop. I cant seen anyone from Leinster touching them.

Clare have gone toe to toe with Limerick but crucially lost when it counted in both Munster finals. I also believe our semi final games the last 2 years have let us down but I genuinely believe that we are the closest to Limerick. I guess though that is for the Limerick lads to decide but the first round game in Ennis this year is crucial for both teams (more so us probably). Limerick historically have struggled to get wins in Ennis and I hope that continues. If we lose we are in trouble as we have a trip to Cork the next week. A draw wouldnt be the worst result for both teams.

With the Munster championship around the corner, my money is on Clare, Limerick and Cork to progress. I cant see anything out of Waterford that gives them hope and Tipperary have chances but i feel they are not as good as the top 3.

In Leinster it looks fairly certain that Galway and KK will coast through with Wexford probably following them. I am not sure what games you are referring to when you say that KK have proiven you wrong with their performances against Limerick. Sure they were game enough in the final in 2022 but were blown out of it last year!

I fully expect Limerick to do the 5 in a row and I cant see them beaten if they come out of Munster which they are very likely to do but the Munster championship has been a war in recent times so you never know."
Yeah I was probably overly egging Kilkenny a wee bit to be fair.

Clare have performed well against Limerick, even grabbing a win like you pointed out but then have been beaten by Kilkenny twice themselves later on.

I don't think Tipp, Cork or Waterford would have any chance of stopping Limerick in a knockout game. Clare maybe but they haven't beaten Limerick, or anyone, in a game of real consequence of yet.

Munster might be a war, but it's a war between Clare, Tipp, Waterford and Cork for the 2 remaining spots after Limerick come through. You may be able to count Waterford out as they seem to be falling away currently.

Leinster is, as you say, Kilkenny and Galway guaranteed through. Wexford should progress as well.

It's very hard to make an argument for anyone but Limerick at the moment.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13779 - 19/03/2024 20:08:45    2532232

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In 2020 the Limerick v Clare championship game doubled up as the league final.

bruffgael (Limerick) - Posts: 201 - 19/03/2024 20:38:03    2532242

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Replying To jimbodub:  "I'm surprised there is not much noise surrounding this with the Championship just around the corner.

If there was ever a hurling side to do it, it is this outstanding Limerick outfit.

They could soon become the greatest Hurling team of all time, arguably they are up there already.

But.. let's see, there will be a couple of teams gunning for them, hoping to stop them, I wonder how Kilkenny are feeling at the moment?

I know there was huge motivation for Kerry to stop Dublin, and they very nearly did..if it wasn't for Stephen Cluxton, Kevin Mac and Dean Rock making vital contributions when their backs were against the wall.

Like Kerry, Kilkenny are the historic king pins and it'll hurt them seeing Limerick take such an accolade and tge sane very much applies to Cork.

I wonder will Limerick do it in style or have a scare along the way

There's huge motivation there for them, but also plenty for their competitors in trying to stop them."
We will do well to get out of munster,first round away to clare,where we have a poor record and tipp the following round,could be in big trouble after rounds.

cityman73 (Limerick) - Posts: 783 - 19/03/2024 20:43:51    2532244

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Of all the players limerick have,the most important for me is Nicky..if anything were to happen him I'd be very worried..gillane and McCarthy are good but no real test in big pressure games like Ennis in April..if they avoid defeat in Ennis I think they'll get out of Munster again..I know Waterford being written off but I think they will bother cork in Walsh park..tipp have forwards who can get goals and I don't still know what cork will do..a lot might depend on Coleman being available..I'm going to say lim/tipp and Clare to get out and if lim get to croke park I'll definitely fancy us for 5 in a row,words I thought I'd never be saying in my lifetime..long way to go but here's hoping..I know it's early days to big up Wexford but I can see them split Galway and kk in Leinster..I think Dublin will really struggle..hopefully another great years hurling ahead,

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2380 - 19/03/2024 20:59:33    2532247

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Replying To cityman73:  "We will do well to get out of munster,first round away to clare,where we have a poor record and tipp the following round,could be in big trouble after rounds."
Is that a joke?

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 19/03/2024 21:14:58    2532249

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