LIMERICK will entertain Cork in the 100th anniversary ‘dream’ National Hurling League Final at a likely packed Gaelic Grounds on Easter Sunday (April 5, 4pm).
Such is the modern-day attractiveness of the two lead contenders for subsequent Munster and All-Ireland Championship success, a bumper attendance is anticipated at the famed Ennis Road Grounds, representing a significant financial boost for Limerick GAA (through venue rent/gate receipts portion) and the local economy, most notably the hospitality sector.
The crowd will be swelled by the clash of our neighbours Clare and Dublin in the second-tier final, which will act as a curtain-raiser (1.45pm).
In a welter of unimaginable excitement, John Kiely’s Limerick survived a fierce Galway fightback to qualify under lights at the same venue on Saturday night.
Led by Cathal O’Neill, Adam English, Gearóid Hegarty and David Reidy, Limerick enjoyed a healthy 1-16 to 0-9 interval lead.
Galway, however, stormed back into contention and outscored the home side 0-22 to 1-11 to ensure a grandstand finish in front of a fine attendance of over 14,000.
In those hectic closing stages, Limerick were forced to defend their goal line on a couple of occasions, one of which involved a serious block by Kyle Hayes from a close-range CathalMannion free at the death.
It will only be the fifth final meeting of Limerick and Cork, with the Shannonsiders in search of a first ever such victory over the Leesiders.
Limerick, who have been installed as 8/13 favourites, are looking for title number 15, and a fourth under the regime of Kiely, Paul Kinnerk, Alan Cunningham and others.
With Limerick’s entry into the Championship arena not until three weeks later (v Cork, PáircUí Chaoimh), the timing of the Final, in the words of Kiely, is “ideal.”
And, GAA fever will heighten with the launch this Thursday afternoon of the Munster Senior Hurling/Football/Camogie and Ladies’ Football Championships in The Dome at Semple, Stadium, Thurles.
It’s the first occasion that the promotion call for all codes will happen at a single event.