2026 MARKS the 30th anniversary of a great win by Limerick of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship at this weekend’s final venue, Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Back in 1996, Limerick – under the guidance of Tom Ryan – came from 10 points adrift to earn a 0-19 to 1-15 final draw with Tipperary at a packed (attendance: 43,525) Gaelic Grounds.
The home scores came primarily from Gary Kirby (0-10, Patrickswell), while there were other contributions from TJ Ryan, Frankie Carroll, Mike Galligan, Owen O’Neill, Seán O’Neill, and captain Ciarán Carey.
Current Tipp manager Liam Cahill top-scored for the visitors with 1-3.
In unhurried times (and long before the introduction of the current round-robin structure), rather than a ‘winner on the day’ scenario, the replay brought the finalists to Leeside a week later.
Limerick triumphed 4-7 to 0-16, with the goals courtesy of Owen O’Neill (2), Frankie Carroll and TJ Ryan.
Ciarán Carey earned the Man of the Match accolade.
The replay attendance was 40,000.
It was provincial title number 18 for Limerick.
To reach the final, Limerick had first hammered Cork, 3-18 to 1-8 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It was the Shannonsiders’ first win over the Rebels at the venue in an astonishing 63 years, and one that appeared only possible when 1-5 to 0-7 in arrears at the interval.
The Limerick scores came through Pádraig Tobin (2-0), Gary Kirby (0-6), Owen O’Neill (1-1), TJ Ryan (0-4), Michael Galligan (0-2), Mike Houlihan (0-2), Damian Quigley (0-1), Seán O’Neill (0-1), Ciarán Carey (0-1).
Then came the Carey wonder point which crushed All-Ireland kingpins Clare on a glorious summer’s day at the Ennis Road Grounds.
Limerick (1996 Final Replay Team): Joe Quaid (Feohanagh); Stephen McDonagh (Bruree), Mike Nash (South Liberties), Declan Nash (South Liberties); Dave Clarke (Kilmallock), Ciarán Carey (Patrickswell), Mark Foley (Adare); Mike Houlihan (Kilmallock), Seán O’Neill (Murroe/Boher); Frankie Carroll (Garryspillane), Gary Kirby (Patrickswell), Mike Galligan (Claughaun); Owen O’Neill (Murroe/Boher), Damian Quigley (Na Piarsaigh), TJ Ryan (Garryspillane).
Substitutes used: Barry Foley (Patrickswell), Pádraig Tobin (Kilmallock).