A CRACKING 100th anniversary National Hurling League Final is in prospect when Limerick host Cork at a packed Gaelic Grounds on Easter Sunday, throw-in 4pm.
It will only be the fifth such decider between the counties, with the Leesiders winners in all previous encounters – 1970, ‘72, ‘74 and ‘80 (following a replay).
Aside from an opening round upset in Waterford, Limerick have a perfect record in the 2026 pennant competition, including a home win over defending champions Cork.
Earlier this season, the Shannonsiders also accounted for this weekend’s opponents en route to the capture of the Munster Senior League.
“We’ve played them twice already and the two teams we’ve played have been totally different so I’ve no doubt there’ll be a lot of differences between the team we meet in the League Final,” acknowledged Limerick manager John Kiely, under whose guidance competition titles have been secured in 2019, ‘20 and ‘23.
“For us, we’re very focused on ourselves … it’s not going to be on what Cork team is going to turn out, we’ll let them worry about that.”
In a welcome development, Limerick, with the return from injury of late of both Peter Casey and Darragh O’Donovan, will choose from a full squad complement.
Selection choice is also a headache for Cork boss Ben O’Connor.
“Whoever trains the best (will be picked) … and the boys know it, and that is the way we’ve been picking the team all along,” he commented. “We’ve been picking the teams on training form, and if you look at it, some fellas have played every game. That will tell you that they are going very well at training.”
Both sides will be named on Friday, and announced through their respective social media channels.
Cork have 15 League titles to their credit, one more than Limerick.
Kiely’s charges have been made favourites to draw level with The Rebels in the Roll of Honour and are more than capable of this task.
It’s predicted here that Limerick Leader Cian Lynch will hold aloft the Croke Cup by teatime in a few days’ time.
Limerick and Cork will also collide in the Munster Championship at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on April 26, and quite possibly again on another few occasions later in spring/summer.
Early attendees, from 1.45pm, to the Ennis Road venue can anticipate an interesting affair in the Division 1B Final between Clare and Dublin.