Shane Stapleton, Michael Verney, Darach Horan and Mark Foley preview the Munster hurling clash between Limerick and Tipperary.
Mark Foley believes that Tipperary need to show their teeth against Limerick to announce themselves as All-Ireland contenders.
The Premier have not hoisted the Liam MacCarthy Cup since 2019 and have endured three tough seasons since under Liam Sheedy and Colm Bonnar.
Under Liam Cahill, they have looked much-improved in 2023, even if the Treaty swatted them aside in the league semi-final in late March.
“There are some really positive things in Tipperary at the moment,” says Foley. “I like thy way they’re playing with a real pace and tempo.
“They have a bit more pace, especially upfront if you compare them to last year. They have width as well in terms of their use of the ball.
“They’ll ask serious questions of Limerick, and it will be interesting to see how Limerick react.
“If Tipp want to be considered serious contenders, they need to win on Sunday,” he adds.
Foley feels that Limerick have an opportunity to go more direct against Tipp, something they failed to capitalise on in the defeat to Clare, and admits there are questions marks with Sean Finn out.
Also in the conversation was the development of Foley’s fellow Adare man Declan Hannon, and Cian Lynch settling back in after serious injuries.
The former All Star also spoke of how costly Jason Forde’s injury was against Cork, and how big a factor the absence of his free-taking could be for Tipp on Sunday.
“I have absolutely no doubt that if Jason Forde stayed on the field, you were looking at a nine- or ten-point win (against Cork),” says Foley.
TIPPERARY v LIMERICK
Tipperary are on three points after two games; Limerick are on two points from two games.
LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS
• 2002: Limerick 3-21 Tipperary 0-23 (Munster round robin)
• 2021: Limerick 2-29 Tipperary 3-21 (Munster final)
• 2020: Limerick 3-23 Tipperary 2-17 (Munster semi-final)
• 2019: Limerick 2-26 Tipperary 2-14 (Munster final)
• 2019: Tipperary 1-22 Limerick 0-21 (Munster ‘round robin’)
*The counties have met 75 times in the championship (71 in Munster, one in the All-Ireland semi-final (2009) and one in the All-Ireland qualifiers (2004) with the results standing as follows: Tipperary 36 wins; Limerick 28 wins; Draws 10.
*Limerick have beaten Tipperary in their last four championship clashes, leaving the Premier seeking their first success since a Munster ‘round robin’ clash in 2019.
*Limerick will play Cork in the final round; Tipperary will play Waterford.
TOP SCORERS – CHAMPIONSHIP 2023
LIMERICK
1. Aaron Gillane……….0-14 (0-11 frees)
2. Seamus Flanagan…3-2
3. Diarmaid Byrnes….0-8 (0-8 frees)
4. Tom Morrissey……..0-6 (0-1 free)
TIPPERARY
1. Jason Forde…………..2-10 (0-9 frees, 1-0 pen, 1-1 s/l)
2. Jake Morris…………..2-7
3. Gearoid O’Connor…..1-5 (0-3 frees)
4. Mark Kehoe…………1-5
MUNSTER TABLE
…………………..P……..W…..D….L….. For………Ag……. +/-…….Pts
Clare…………….3……..2…….0…..1……6-69….7-58……+8………4
Cork…………….2……..1…….1….0…….4-46….2-43……+9……..3
Tipperary……..2………1…….1…..0…..7-47….7-42……+5……..3
Limerick………..2……..1…….0…..1…..3-38…..1-43…….+1…….2
Waterford………3……..0……0….3……0-53….3-67……-23……..0
