By Mal Keaveney
AT THE tale-end of a year so cruelly interrupted by a global pandemic, Limerick and Waterford will contest a much anticipated and novel All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final at Croke Park in Dublin next Sunday (throw-in, 3.30pm).
Whatever doubts and apprehension there had been about playing inter-county hurling and football in 2020 has now been over-rode by the glorious glee that has erupted in a championship that has kept spirits high in a time of grinding despair.
This first Christmas All-Ireland Final since Dublin emerged winners’ way back in 1924 is a repeat of last month’s provincial decider, which Limerick won by four points at Semple Stadium, Thurles.
Limerick have been made odds-on favourites to repeat that result and win a ninth All-Ireland Championship in the process, at the expense of Waterford who are chasing only a second outright success, and a first since 1959.
Whatever the weekend outcome, we are living through a golden spell in Limerick hurling which has yielded two National League and back-to-back Munster Championship wins in the blink of an eye, along with the never-to-be-forgotten All-Ireland Championship triumph of 2018.
But for a controversial call late-on against Kilkenny in last year’s semi-final, Limerick could well be chasing an All-Ireland three-in-a-row at the Jones’ Road venue a few days’ from now.
Unbeaten in both league and championship this year, Limerick arrive at centre-stage by virtue of wins over Clare, holders Tipperary, Waterford and Galway. Waterford had beaten Cork in the Munster semi-final, but lost to us in the Munster Final only since to bounce back with merited victories against Clare and Leinster hotpots Kilkenny.
John Kiely’s outfit remains quite similar in personnel from that which ended the famine two years ago, although Dan Morrissey is now at full-back; Kyle Hayes at number seven and Cian Lynch leads the attack. Amongst those very much currently on top of their brief are Seán Finn, Diarmuid Byrnes, Tom Morrissey, Gearóid Hegarty and injury concern Aaron Gillane.
Ultimate continuity is intact courtesy of captain Declan Hannon at centre-back.
Waterford, under manager Cahill, were best in their heroic comeback semi-final defeat of the Cats, an outing in which several from goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe through to top scorer Stephen Bennett starred, skipper and full-back Conor Prunty, including centre-back Tadgh De Burca, midfielder Jamie Barron and Austin Gleeson at the edge of the square.
Shane Fives, injured in the Munster Final, is likely to start for the Déise.
There is momentum with Waterford, but Limerick’s strength-in-depth should earn Kiely’s side a second All-Ireland Championship inside three seasons.
Verdict: Limerick, by four to six points.
Luimneach Abú!
• Sunday’s final throws-in at 3.30pm and will be televised on RTE Two and Sky Sports, with radio coverage available on Radio One and Limerick’s Live 95.
Kerry and Antrim meet in the also televised Joe McDonagh Cup Final as a curtain-raiser at 1pm.
Read our All Ireland Final Preview here …
