Gaelic Games

Hurling championship vox pop: What are the roadblocks to Limerick’s drive for five

Our writers and analysts look at the campaign ahead in Munster and Leinster, hurler of the year canidates and manager most under pressure

Limerick's Cian Lynch celebrates with the Liam MacCarthy Cup after the victory over Kilkenny in the 2023 All-Ireland hurling final. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Sat Apr 20 2024 - 06:00
Seán Moran

1. Is there any reason to believe that Limerick won’t make it five in a row?

There are reasons, as in the fact that nobody has managed to do it previously. But judged on the balance of probabilities, they still look the best team out there.

2. Your three to emerge from Munster?

Limerick, Clare and Cork.

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3. Your three to get out of Leinster?

Kilkenny, Galway and Wexford.

4. Who’s your pick for Hurler of the Year?

On the basis that Limerick do record the five-in-a-row achievement I’ll take Cian Lynch to take up where he left off in his last injury-free season in 2021.

5. Which manager is under the most pressure?

It would be surprising if there wasn’t near unanimity on Henry Shefflin, now into his third year with as yet, not even a Leinster to show for it.

The pressure is on Galway manager Henry Shefflin going into his third championship campaign. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho

Nicky English

1. Is there any reason to believe that Limerick won’t make it five in a row?

I suppose, history and the amount of miles on the clock that these players have. They’re young but most have been playing since 2017. On 2023 form, there’s no reason but it’s never been done before.

2. Your three to emerge from Munster?

Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.

3. Your three to get out of Leinster?

Kilkenny, Galway and Wexford.

4. Who’s your pick for Hurler of the Year?

I’d say it will be someone from Limerick. Cian Lynch because if Limerick are going to win, I’d say he will have a big year. But as an outside bet because I think Kilkenny will again be there or thereabouts, Adrian Mullen could be in that conversation.

5. Which manager is under the most pressure?

Henry Shefflin

Clare's Shane O'Donnell. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Denis Walsh

1. Is there any reason to believe that Limerick won’t make it five in a row?

It is hard to see them being as stressed in Munster as they were last summer, and even if Clare can find some more improvement there are very few landmines elsewhere.

2. Your three to emerge from Munster?

Limerick, Clare and Cork.

3. Your three to get out of Leinster?

Kilkenny, Galway and Wexford.

4. Who’s your pick for Hurler of the Year?

Shane O’Donnell.

5. Which manager is under the most pressure?

Henry Shefflin. He inherited a Galway team regarded as one of Limerick’s closest challengers and has yet to improve them. He can’t afford year three to be as dull as the other two.

Davy Fitzgerald has to turn around Waterford's fortunes in Munster. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Malachy Clerkin

1. Is there any reason to believe that Limerick won’t make it five in a row?

The main one is that all empires crumble eventually and five-in-a-row has proven to be beyond even the best ever teams. If anyone is to nip in ahead of them, Clare look the most likely.

2. Your three to emerge from Munster?

Limerick, obviously. Clare, probably. After that, Waterford and Tipperary will both have big performances but could ultimately cancel each other out and allow an improved Cork to slide through on the rails.

3. Your three to get out of Leinster?

Kilkenny and Galway will sail through, making this weekend’s game between Dublin and Wexford the de facto decider for third. Keith Rossiter looks to have steadied the ship somewhat so maybe Wexford?

4. Who’s your pick for Hurler of the Year?

For Clare to win it out, they’ll have to beat the Limerick halfback line at some stage. So even though he’s a marked man after the league, David Fitzgerald could be the difference.

5. Which manager is under the most pressure?

Davy Fitz has to find a way to start winning some Munster Championship games. Waterford’s injury list is clearing up so they either get off the pot now or they do the other thing.

David Fitzgerald looks set for a big championship campaign with Clare. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Joe Canning

1. Is there any reason to believe that Limerick won’t make it five in a row?

Not in my opinion. Their biggest challenge will be getting out of Munster. If they do that then the five in a row is a real possibility. But if they look too far ahead they won’t get the chance. Get out of Munster and it’s theirs to lose.

2. Your three to emerge from Munster?

Limerick, Clare and Cork.

3. Your three to get out of Leinster?

Kilkenny, Galway and Wexford.

4. Who’s your pick for Hurler of the Year?

David Fitzgerald.

5. Which manager is under the most pressure?

John Kiely. That may sound strange but the drive for five brings serious outside talk and pressure. Lose against Clare on Sunday and imagine the talk that will add. Five in a row has never been done before in hurling and it’s the best chance any team has ever had before.

Ian O’Riordan

1. Is there any reason to believe that Limerick won’t make it five in a row?

Plenty of reasons, if you believe the likes of Clare and Kilkenny have closed the gap on them, and Limerick also have that sometimes unbearable history on their shoulders.

2. Your three to emerge from Munster?

Limerick and Clare should still lead the way, and we should have a good idea of the third team after Waterford host Cork this Sunday afternoon. Cork to win and to press on.

3. Your three to get out of Leinster?

Looks like Kilkenny and Galway out on front again, and like in Munster, the third team could be strongly hinted at by Sunday afternoon, after Wexford host Dublin.

4. Who’s your pick for Hurler of the Year?

There is an undeniable swagger and confidence about Clare hurling so far this season, and they have the players to dominate the year, David Fitzgerald laying down that potential marker already.

5. Which manager is under the most pressure?

When does Davy Fitzgerald ever sound like he’s not under some kind of pressure? There was some excuse last summer, given Walsh Park was out of use, but he’ll certainly want a win there this summer to lift that pressure.

Gordon Manning

1. Is there any reason to believe that Limerick won’t make it five in a row?

Several. Their lacklustre league semi-final performance, the weight of history, plus the fallout and off the field distractions from the Kyle Hayes legal case. Still, Limerick remain the team to beat.

2. Your three to emerge from Munster?

Limerick, Clare, Cork. Waterford’s awful record in the round-robin will only change if they can beat Cork on Sunday, another losing start might see their summer unravel again. Tipp are capable of ousting Cork for third spot in Munster.

3. Your three to get out of Leinster?

Kilkenny, Galway, Wexford. In many ways, this weekend’s clash between Wexford and Dublin could be the most significant game in the Leinster round-robin stages as it has the hallmarks of a battle for third.

4. Who’s your pick for Hurler of the Year?

Cian Lynch. If Limerick do indeed go all the way again this season, there’s a pretty decent chance the mercurial Lynch will be a driving force in that success. Having had his battles with injury in recent campaigns, Lynch could make history this summer by joining Henry Shefflin as a three-time winner of the individual accolade.

5. Which manager is under the most pressure?

Davy Fitzgerald. His second coming in Waterford has been challenging because the Déise never got the expected bounce from his return. And after this season’s disappointing league showing, Fitzgerald needs a strong championship showing from his team. Henry Shefflin’s reign in Galway is also under the spotlight.

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