Limerick face Kerry in their first Munster football final in twelve years this Saturday.
A daunting task awaits Billy Lee’s team and little solace will be taken from the fact that the Shannonsiders are seeking to bridge a 126-year wait between provincial honours.
Limerick were the inaugural All-Ireland champions in 1887 as the side, represented by Commercials, saw off Meath, Kilkenny (after a replay) and Tipperary before being paired with Louth in the decider.
The following year, the Munster championship was created but Limerick had to wait until 1896 to claim the provincial title.
In the quarter final, they defeated Cork before overcoming Tipperary in a repeat of the previous year’s final.
Waterford were dispatched on a scoreline of 0-4 to 0-1 as a contentious score awarded to the Treaty men, once more represented by Commercials, saw the Deise outfit walk off the field in protest.
Limerick went on to claim a second All-Ireland title putting them just behind Dublin in the roll of honour.
But the championship has offered little to Limerick with no more titles in the meantime while each of their Munster counterparts have won at least one championship.
Kerry have added 81 provincial titles to go with a record 37 All-Ireland triumphs. Cork are next on the Munster roll of honour winning the same amount of provincial titles as Kerry have Celtic Cross medals.
Tipp are up next with ten while Clare just shade Limerick and Waterford’s tally of one apiece.
Limerick have contested 13 Munster finals, including four in the span of eight years from 2003-2010 where the Kingdom were thrice victors.
Kerry have defeated Limerick in seven of those Munster deciders.
In a repeat of the final from the previous year, Limerick pushed Kerry all the way in 2004, with the game needing a replay. That’s as close as they have come to the Kingdom.
Five years later, Limerick did all but beat Cork in the decider but nonetheless, the search for a provincial crown rumbles on.
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