Tipp aiming to restore perch as Kings of Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final Preview
TIPPERARY v LIMERICK
LIT Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Sunday 30th June
Throw-in @ 2.00pm
Referee: Paud O'Dwyer (Carlow)
Two weeks ago when Tipperary and Limerick met in the final round of the group phase of the Munster Championship, we were meant to have a better indication of where both teams stood.
Instead, supporters of both sides left Semple Stadium wondering what to believe. The popular opinion in Limerick is that with a full strength side on the field, they would have beaten Tipperary and would be much stronger come the Munster Final.
Despite that defeat, their second in the championship, Limerick were the team to gain the most with the final being played in their own back-yard of the LIT Gaelic Grounds, while Tipperary picked up two major injuries, one of which ended the season on Patrick 'Bonner' Maher.
The other to Cathal Barrett is likely to keep him out of final with more important knockout game(s) to come down the line regardless of the result but the loss of two such key players and going into the lions den makes this the ultimate challenge for Tipperary, and this is what manager Liam Sheedy will welcome.
Tipperary have done all that has been asked of them in the championship so far, convincing winners in all four games played, overcoming significant challenges in all those games.
They had to withstand a fightback from Cork late in the first half at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, also against Waterford in round 2. The first twenty minutes at Cusack Park against Clare was probably the best period of hurling in any championship game this year but Tipp found another gear late in that half to create a decisive lead, while against Limerick last time out despite the relative closeness of the final margin of four points, there was never any semblance that Tipperary would lose the game.
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