Around the Districts: Banteer, Kilcorney-Dromtariffe and Lismire
Best of luck to Looney brothers in Munster final
This Friday night 23rd May, all roads lead out of our parish with the first exit to the west coast of our island being taken by all GAA patrons at the revamped Ballymaquirk(e) roundabout. The destination being keyed into the convoy of vehicles Sat Navigation systems is the Kerry Capital, Tralee, where the much anticipated showdown between Cork and Kerry in the Electric Ireland Sponsored Munster Minor Football Championship Final is set to take place in Austin Stack Park (now known as Austin 'snack' Park with the recently acquired stadium sponsor).
All the talk in Ireland's national print media as well as online chatroom GAA forums at this grade is centred around the awesome Kerry side spear headed by the prolific Gearóid White, Ben Kelliher and Kerrys Brawny midfielder John Curtin. Journalists across the island, both south and north of the country's border, have tipped Kerry or the team that beat this star studded Kerry side to win the All Ireland. It will be a tall order for Cork but not beyond them to knit a performance together. However, under the Guidance of Keith Ricken (Manager) and Maurice Moore (Lead coach, Carbery Rangers) the Cork Minors are in the best care as this duo delivered a Munster and All Ireland U21 Football title in 2019 so these men have seen it and done it all at County Level and at club level down through the decades.
They are supported by experienced and shrewd selectors John McNulty (Uibh Laoire), Clive Cremin (Carrigtwohill/x Bantry) Paul Holland (Arigideen Rangers/ X Clyda Rovers) and Billy O Connor (Cullen) as well as numerous top class GAA men also are working in the hub of the engine room under Keiths renowned person centred holistic management style.
We wish brothers Billy and Eoin Looney the very best of luck on Friday and the GAA club are very proud and envious of what you are experiencing through your chosen hobby of sport.
Regardless of Friday nights result, Cork are in the All Ireland Quarter Final and have another day out in their development, but some silverware would be a welcome boost to these young boys lives as a reward for their sporting endeavour. Keith has gone on record nationally stating the parents and players are travelling a combined 6,000km per week since training commenced on those cold, dreary and dark Winter nights many months ago. Please read the last sentence again.
This is the work going into Cork football, 6,000km being clocked on vehicles tyres per week by parents of boys aged 16 to 17 from all corners of our county. Billy and Eoin's parents have been making the now programmed three times a week Journey on the meandering and bendy roads south to venues such as Clonakilty and Timoleague in addition to training in Pairc ui Rinn ,MTU Bishopstown, Mallow and Mourneabbey. The hundreds of hours of pitch and gym work has been banked. The diligent injury pre-habilitation, clean sleep hygiene, dietary and hydration protocols and performance analysis work has been banked over last 6 months and beyond through club and family dedication to their football potential.
Hopefully a game of football will break out once the ball is thrown in. The club wishes Eoin and Billy all the best and congratulate you on making the 30 man squad. Regardless of the result, we wish you both well in the All Ireland Quarter Final. The game will be screened Live nationally with TG4 TV or online via the TG4 Sport You Tube Channel and Clubber GAA.
The club would also like to congratulate Billy on his fine performance in goals for Cork last Saturday against Kerry in the U16 All Ireland Championship round robin series. Billy arrowed a superb free between the posts and was rewarded with two points as the kick was from outside the new arc into the 'Dingle end' in sun drenched Austin Stack Park.
We also congratulate Eoin on his fine 50 minute display versus Tipperary in Semple Stadium last Monday week in a pulsating semi Final which went all the way to extra time. Tickets for Fridays game can be purchased online. It is a ticket only (cashless) entry policy being implemented by the Association.
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Attacked by dogs
Important - A local man was attacked by uncontrolled dogs while going for a run in the Derry mountain recently. The incident has been reported to the Gardai and the Council Dog warden. We would advise any walkers/runners using the area and other mountain areas to be careful.
Glen Theatre events
Saturday 24th May: Seamus O Rourke in the 'Reverand', Wednesday 28th May: Blue grass musicians 'Old Baby Mackerel in Concert', Saturday 31st May: Aoife Scott in Concert (Frances Blacks daughter), Wednesday 11th June: Bluegrass Musicians 'Seth Mulder and Midnight Run' in Concert, All shows 8pm - for booking ph 029 56239. Please see website for future dates and events full details
Duhallow Cup Hurling Semi Final
Banteer suffered a bitterly disappointing Duhallow Cup defeat to Dromtariffe in Millstreet on Tuesday evening 13th of May last.
Played in splendid conditions Banteer got off to an ideal start leading 0-3 to 0-0 after seven minutes through points from Conor O' Keeffe & Luke Philpott (2).
Banteer received a further boost on nine minutes when Philpott set up Jay Archdeacon who then found the back of the Dromtariffe net from close range.
Points from Alan Coughlan & Brian Philpott saw the underdogs in front 1-5 to 0-2 at the opening quarter mark.
Unfortunately a Donal Wilson point on twenty minutes was all Banteer could manage in the second quarter, while our opponents hit 8 points in that seventeen minute quarter, to leave the half time score Dromtariffe ahead 0-11 to 1-6.
The second half saw a more even scoring spread throughout from both teams with Dromtariffe starting brightly notching 2 more points adding to their advantage. However 3 points in three minutes from Luke, Alan Kearney & Kevin Tarrant reduced the divide again.
Two Dromtariffe points sandwiched between a Luke Philpott effort saw the margin remain at two points on thirty nine minutes.
A trio of points on thirty nine, forty & forty one minutes through Luke, O' Keeffe & Coughlan had Banteer out in front again.
Dromtariffe had other ideas though & hit back with three points of their own to lead again 0-18 to 1-13 at the three quarter mark.
A Philpott free saw the margin reduced to the minimum yet again. But Dromtariffe responded with two more points, the men in grey & red now back in front 0-20 to 1-14 on fifty two minutes.
Thankfully Banteer didn't wilt though & pushed on with four points from Luke (3) & Wilson to lead 1-18 to 0-20 inside injury time with it now very much looking like it just might be our day.
Unfortunately though two long distance Conor O' Callaghan frees for Dromtariffe won the game for our near neighbours, with Banteer losing out 0-22 to 1-18 at the full time whistle.
Underage Soccer camp
The Banteer Underage Soccer camp takes place on 23rd, 24th and 25th July – more info next week.
Coffee morning
Banteer Tidy Towns will hold a coffee morning at Banteer Sportsfield Café on Saturday 24th May 10am til 12.30pm–please support.
Banteer Sportsfield/Park
The annual draw for the ongoing operation, maintenance and development of the facility for 2025 is on now –please support same as your support helps us make it better for all users. First draw planned for the end of May. Improvement plans for 2025 include upgrade of old dressing rooms, goal posts replacement ,sanding/aeration works ,new pitch mower, solar PV installation. Work will start on these projects soon.
The regular operation and maintenance works are very important to maintain the facility to the highest level and also these costs are now approx 40k p.a + which are funded by our annual draw. All are asked to please support the local Community Café at the Sportsfield opened Tues to Fri 10am to 2pm and each evening Mon to Friday 6pm to 8.30pm.
Table Quiz
All are welcome to attend a table quiz in aid of the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association on 30th May in Crowley's Gortroe from 8pm. €20 per team of 4 or €5 per person. A raffle will also take place on the night with worthy spot prizes to be won. Any enquiries, please contact James McAuliffe on 085 1384484.
Community Council
Community Council have asked Cork County Council and our local reps to please proceed asap with the resurfacing of the Clonmeen road and repairs to the Kanturk road. Also a request has been made to provide traffic calming on an urgent basis on the Railway/Millstreet road as traffic is exceeding the speed limits coming into the village. A request to replace the damaged safety bollard at the corner of the footpath has also been requested.
Banteer Bingo
Bingo is played at Banteer Community Centre on Tuesday nights at 8.30pm, playing for jackpot of €5300. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
KILCORNEY-DROMTARIFFE
Bowling
Denis Horgan Bowling Club: Jackie Daly / Liam Casey Competition: Sam Aherne 6 points, Donal Cashman 4 points, Maurice Cashman 5 points, Jonathan O Callaghan 1 point, Dean Sexton 4 points, Geraldine Casey 3 points, John Breen 2 points, Ned Kelleher 4 points, Eugene O Sullivan 3 points, Keven Flynn 1 point, Tuesday Social Club - Castletown Kenneigh Challenge Series - Gene O Callaghan beat Connie Lehane for the last shot. Chris Larkin beat Gene O Callaghan by a bowl of odds.
Road bowling results
BAILE BHUIRNE: Denise Murphy bt Hannah Cronin Inter.
BALLINACARRIGA: Donal O'Mahony bt Dinney Nyhan Nov-Vet ls €200as.
BALLINACURRA: Liam Murphy bt Trevor O'Sullivan €1,000 as. Cian Boyle bt Denis Wilmot bt Noel O'Donovan 3 x €3,300 as Final. Lee Collins bt Darragh Collins 2bls €100 as.
BANTRY: Tim Young bt Paul O'Reilly bt David Shannon 3 x €2,500 as; €5,000 Young/Shannon (Mick Young Cup SF). Colm O'Regan bt Flor Crowley 2bls €5,000 as. Timmy McDonagh bt Anthony Crowley bt John O'Rourke 1bl 3x €6,600 as (Mick Young Cup SF). Conor Lucy bt Chris Murray €3.050 as. Timmy McDonagh bt Tim Young ls €3,500 as (Mick Young Cup Final). DenisO'Sullivan bt Barry O'Reilly 1bl €4,000 as. Aidan Murphy bt Martin Coppinger1bl €13,000 as (Dan Riordan Cup). Jim Coffey bt John Cahalane €4,450 as.
BEAL NA BLATH: Brendan O'Neill bt Ger O'Driscoll ls €1,600 as. GearoidLucey/Paul Twomey bt Kevin Coughlan/Michael O'Callaghan €1,100 as.
BWEENG: Matthew Bradley bt Damien McMahon Nov-D €290 as. Jack Oldham bt Brendan Cotter €150 as.
CARRIGNAVAR: Team Results, 1 st Carrignavar 2 nd Bottlehill. Bertie Kelleher bt Tom O'Donovan 2bls Nov-C.
CASTLETOWN: Thomas Malony bt Shane Healy 1bl €950 as. Nov-D. Eoin McCarthy bt John Cahalane 1bl €2,750 as.
CLONDROHID: Adrianna Creedon bt Tara Twomey ls Jun-Ladies.
CURRAHEEN: Denis Connolly bt Christy O'Donnell Nov-Vet 2bls ns. Joe Lotty bt John Cronin Nov-Vet 1bl ns.
DRINAGH: Conor Mccarthy bt Vincent Roche Nov-C ls €300 as. Kevin O'Donovan bt Liam McCarthy Nov-D ls €250 as.
DURRUS: Kieran Collins bt Declan O'sullivan Nov-D 2bls €120 as.
FIRMOUNT: Barry Murphy bt Mickey McAuliffe ns, Evan Murphy bt Paul Walsh €500 as.
FISHERS X: Ritchie Lawton bt Brian Harrington €420 as. Mickey Harrington bt Ritchie Lawton €850 as.
GLENABO: Martin Daly bt Eugene Hanley Nov-Vet ls ns.
LYRE: Seamus Sexton bt James O'Donovan MHC SF 1bl €2,500. Micháel O'Sullivan bt Adrian Buttimer SF 1bl €800 as.
KILCORNEY: Andrew O'Callaghan bt Darragh Dempsey 2bls €1,500 as. Michael Casey bt Ryan Long Nov-D €100 as ls.
MACROOM: Aodh Lynch bt Eoin Moynahan U-18 2bls. Tadhg Cooney bt Sean Lehane U-18 2bls.
PADDOES: Tony Dunlea bt Noel Hegarty Nov-Vet ns.
REENASCREENA: Martin Collins bt Eoin Deasy ns. Cian Minihane bt Shane McCarthy €220 as.
ROSSCARBERY: Cathal Collins bt Cormac Cuinnea ls ns. Patrick Collins bt Shane Goggin ls €170 as. Joseph Hennessy bt Barry O'Donovan 1bl €200 as.
TERELTON: Matty McDonagh bt Jerry Lynch 1bl ns Nov-C. Patrick Brownebt Martin O'Connor 1bl ns Nov-C.
TEMPLEMARTIN: Barry Murphy bt Shane Desmond Nov-D ls €250 as.
TIMOLEAGUE: Kevin Harrington bt Ger Fitzpatrick Nov-Vet 1bl €550 as.
THE BOG ROAD; Paul Butler bt Tom O'Donovan ls €460 as. Pascal Bowenbt Darragh O'Donovan 1bl €700 as.
THE MARSH ROAD: Shane McCarthy bt Jerry Crowley 1bl €400 as. Sean McNulty bt Darren O'Brien ls €400 as.
THE PHALE ROAD (Teds Tournaments): Boy's U-16, Patrick McCarthy bt Kevin Kelleher, Ross O'Brien bt Culann Bourke, Stephen O'neill bt Ethan Hurley,
U-14, Oisin Murray bt Sean Lehane, Tadhg Hickey bt Jack McCarthy, Tadhg Farrell bt Brian Kelleher,
U-12 Fionan Twohig bt Darragh Foley, Darragh Ahern bt Cillian Hurley.
U-10, Tommy Coppinger bt Kieran Hickey, Sean Hickey bt Cathal Gleeson, Donor O'Sullivan bt Paudie O'donoghue, Darragh Maloney bt Bobby O'Brien.
U-8 Frankie Flynn bt Donnacha O'Sullivan, Matty McDonagh bt Fionan Dwyer, Michael Gleesson bt Dillon Bohane, Colm Bohane bt Alex Hubbard.
Girl's U-16 Meabh Cuinnea bt Orla Murphy bt Grace Ahern,
U-14 Anna Deane bt Mia Hubbard.
LISMIRE
Captured Memories
Duhallow Heritage Society is holding a Photography Exhibition (Captured Memories) Kanturk in the 50s and 60s through the lens of Danny O'Sullivan at Kanturk Library on 23rd May to June 2nd excluding Bank Holiday June 1st. Launch night on 23rd May from 7pm-8.30pm. Everyone is welcome.
First Holy Communion
Children from Lismire N.S. will receive Communion for the first time on Saturday 24th May in St. Joseph's Church, Lismire at 10.30am. We continue to pray for the children and their families at this very important moment in their lives.
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The 42
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Poll: Who do you think will win the Munster hurling final?
IT'S TROPHY DAY in the Munster hurling calendar. Limerick and Cork are the last two standing as they battle it out at the Gaelic Grounds for the big prize. John Kiely's side are hoping to complete a provincial seven-in-a-row while Cork are back in a Munster final for the first time in seven years hoping to upset the champions. It was Limerick who emerged with a 16-point victory in their round-robin meeting last month and Cork will be seeking redemption, as well as the Munster title later today. With all that said, who do you think will be crowned Munster champions for 2025?
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Kildare's Joe McDonagh dream - 'This was probably only in the far off depths of my brain'
SHORTLY AFTER WINNING the Christy Ring Cup yet again last year, Kildare goalkeeper Paddy McKenna and his colleagues met with manager Brian Dowling to discuss pushing on. No county had won the competition more times and, frankly, none of the Kildare players fancied winning it ever again. McKenna was involved in all five of Kildare's Ring Cup triumphs, between 2014 and 2024, and was desperate to operate regularly at a higher level. Hitting new standards of fitness was a prerequisite, the players felt. A number of alterations were made to Dowling's backroom and perhaps the most significant was the addition of strength and conditioning expert Mickey Gillick. Truth be told, the players were pushing an open door with Dowling who sensed the need for a fresh approach himself. 'He was in agreement with us, he had it pretty much set up before we even went to him,' said McKenna. 'He knew himself that, right, we're going to need something big here going up to the Joe Mac.' It was a tough winter of physical investment but the dividend has been impressive. 'It's the fittest I've certainly ever been anyway,' said McKenna. 'That's probably an easy enough feat as a goalkeeper but for the lads out the field, they're all in great nick as well. And they're wanting more too. That's what we wanted really.' It hasn't been quite a straight line between last year's Ring Cup win and qualifying for tomorrow's Joe McDonagh Cup final against Laois though. In fact, when Kildare began this season's competition with a Round 1 defeat to Kerry, it looked as if their old habit of falling flat on their faces at the higher grade was repeating itself. Advertisement McKenna lifting the Christy Ring Cup last June. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO That was Kildare's ninth ever game in the McDonagh Cup, across three different campaigns — 2021, 2023 and 2025 — and their ninth consecutive defeat. Seven weeks and four unlikely wins later, McKenna is on the verge of the most significant achievement of his career. Truth be told, just staying up in the second tier of hurling this year would have been progress. 'This was probably only in the far off depths of my brain at that stage,' said McKenna of a Croke Park final fixture after the defeat to Kerry. 'Thankfully we didn't make it to 10 losses in a row. Look, it was just getting back to basics, realising that we had to show up for every single game.' So when exactly did Kildare start to think of actually winning the competition and of an audacious bid for Leinster SHC activity in 2026? 'Probably when we got the result in Carlow, to be honest, that was a big monkey off our backs,' said the five-time Ring Cup winner, referencing their Round 3 win. 'Carlow have had some massive results in the last few years, drawing with Kilkenny in the Leinster championship last year, beating Waterford in the league earlier this year, maintaining their status in Division 1B. 'That's the standard we want to be competing at regularly so we knew that if we were able to get a result against them…and beating Laois and Westmeath as well, the three teams that had been up in the Leinster championship, that's kind of where we got the drive and the realisation that, yeah, it could be on for us.' Kildare manager Brian Dowling. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO The thing is, Kildare didn't just sneak into tomorrow's Croke Park decider. They topped the group while it was Laois that had to conjure the late goal just to draw with Carlow and nudge the Barrowsiders out on scoring difference. Laois are still favourites to win and to make up for last year's final loss to Offaly. Three of their starting defenders – Lee Cleere, Padraig Delaney and Ryan Mullaney – along with half-forward Paddy Purcell, lined out in the 2019 final win. Several more 2019 performers are retained on the bench for this season's final. But what they hold over Kildare in experience and hurling tradition could be trumped by the sheer desperation of Brian Dowling's Lilywhites to make the most of this rare opportunity. 'It's going to be tough and I'd say Laois will have their homework done on us,' said McKenna. 'I'd say they found out an awful lot about us when we played them in O'Moore Park a couple of weeks ago.' The one certainty is that Kildare will play Dublin or Tipperary in an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final in Newbridge next weekend. Win tomorrow and their dubious reward will be a date with Tipperary. Lose and it will be the Dubs coming to the redeveloped St Conleth's Park. For some, parachuting the Joe McDonagh Cup finalists back into the race for the MacCarthy Cup is unnecessary, even unfair. Reigning All-Ireland champions Clare are gone from the competition already after all, along with Waterford, Wexford, Offaly and Antrim. 'I can see both sides of the coin on that,' said McKenna. 'The fact that the Joe McDonagh is its own competition and, like, there's no other competition in the GAA where the winners of it go into a separately run competition that you could possibly win without playing the earlier games in it. A general view of the Joe McDonagh Cup (file photo). James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO 'But then it's a great carrot as well, knowing that we have another two weeks of this and you're summing hurling as well which is great. That's when hurling is at its best.' Kildare have already been promoted to Division 1B of next season's National League. Getting to the Leinster SHC would cap their greatest season in decades. 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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
The joy of six - Limerick's Munster final triumphs
Limerick stand on the brink of another feat never achieved before in Munster hurling – seven senior titles in a row. That would rival the provincial milestone of Brian Cody's great Kilkenny team of 2005-2011, another side who won four consecutive All-Irelands. The Cats go for a third Leinster six-in-a-row against Galway tomorrow. Six had never been achieved in Munster until last year either; today's opponents Cork managed five twice, from 1975-79 and 1982-86. Let us remind you just how John Kiely's men went from Munster rarely men to the brink of a magnificent seven. 2019 Limerick 2-26 Tipperary 2-14 The Treaty had missed out on the provincial decider in 2018 but third in the inaugural round-robin was enough for a place in the knockout stages and they went all the way, pipping Galway in a thrilling final for their first All-Ireland SHC triumph in 43 years. The defence didn't start too well, with defeat to Cork in the Gaelic Grounds, but huge wins over Waterford (20 points) and Clare (18) meant they were all but through ahead of facing Tipp in the final round. Seamus Callanan's goal was the difference as the Premier ran out 1-22 to 0-21 winners to finish with a 100% record (the only time it has been done) in the group and eight points. However, Limerick had rested key men like Declan Hannon, Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch and Gearóid Hegarty, while Tipp lost Patrick 'Bonner' Maher (cruciate ligament) and Cathal Barrett to injuries that were put them out of the final rematch. And the Green Machine showed their true strength back on home turf, recovering from an early Callanan goal to hit one of their own through Peter Casey (1-05) and lead 1-11 to 0-09 at the interval, having played against the wind. Limerick dominated their opponents after the break, replying to John McGrath's goal with one of their own from Kyle Hayes (1-02) as part of an unanswered run of 1-06. Hegarty (0-03) and Tom Morrissey (0-04) were also big contributors from play. Declan Hannon, one of just four survivors from the county's previous victory in 2013 - itself a first in 17 years - lifted the cup, which they added to that year's league trophy to complete the set. Tipp were to have the last laugh however, regaining Liam MacCarthy after Limerick slipped up against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-finals. 2020 Limerick 0-25 Waterford 0-21 Over 500 days passed between that first Munster triumph and the second. For a while, it looked like Covid-19 might put paid to hurling altogether, but instead the format reverted to knockout/back door, behind locked doors. Limerick were again relatively comfortable winners over both Clare (also counting as the league final) and Tipperary before meeting Waterford, provincial finalists in their first year under Tipp native Liam Cahill. The Déise had beaten Cork by four points despite conceding a late goal to Patrick Horgan, and put it up to the champions at an empty Semple Stadium. The sides were level five times in a first half Limerick shaded by 0-14 to 0-11 and the challengers briefly inched ahead before the water break (remember those?) as Stephen Bennett (0-12, 9fs) led the charge. But Hegarty, Graeme Mulcahy and Seamus Flanagan all contributed to the traditional strong finish as Limerick retained the Munster crown for the first time since 1981. They won all 13 games they played that year, including handing Waterford a much heavier beating – 0-30 to 0-19 – in an All-Ireland final played at an eerie Croke Park two weeks before Christmas. 2021 Limerick 2-29 Tipperary 3-21 An extraordinary Limerick comeback in this second half and it's summed up here by this Kyle Hayes effort. Watch now on @rte2 or highlights on #sundaygame from 9.30pm — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 18, 2021 This final was arguably the most interesting, for a number of reasons. Or a number of numbers. 35: the highest number of points Limerick scored in any of the six finals. 30: the highest total they conceded. 10: the half-time deficit they overturned. 2: the number of red cards they escaped, according to Jackie Tyrrell. Tipp started like a train at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, goals from Jake Morris and John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer sending them scorching into a 10-point lead at the break, 2-16 to 0-12. The scores were still level two minutes in the second half when 30th-minute sub Aaron Gillane was fouled by Cathal Barrett but swung his hurl back into the defender after the referee had blown the whistle. Paud O'Dwyer seemed to be looking straight at the incident but somehow deemed it only worthy of a yellow card. It's hard to imagine the epic comeback that followed would have happened with 14 men, and they could have finished without another when Flanagan went in high with the hurl on Ronan Maher, though less obviously and late on. Gillane scored 0-06 (4fs), a total matched by Tom Morrissey (1f). Limerick scored the first three points of the half before Flanagan's goal - from a blocked Gillane shot - really got things going and the holders were already ahead by the second water break. In the 56th minute, Hayes took off on a memorable run for their second, game-settling goal. Tipp lost an All-Ireland quarter-final shootout to Waterford, which proved the last game of Liam Sheedy's second spell in charge. Limerick beat the Déise by eight points in the semi-final before hammering Cork on a record 3-32 to 1-22 scoreline in the decider. 2022 Limerick 1-29 Clare 0-29 The first and probably the best final of the trilogy was a relentless slugfest in the rain in Thurles. Clare were, and still are, chasing their first Munster since 1998 and were prepared to fight fire with fire. Tony Kelly hit seven first-half points but a Hegarty goal had it level at half-time – 1-11 to 0-14. Nobody led by more than two points over the initial 73 and a half minutes but the Banner needed a sublime sideline cut from Kelly (0-13, six from play) to force extra-time. Limerick seemed to have the fresher legs in the additional periods, Flanagan finishing with a superb eight points, as Hannon fittingly became the first captain to lift the Mick Mackey Cup. Clare fought back in their All-Ireland quarter-final against Wexford but were blown away in the semi-final by Kilkenny. The Cats gave Limerick, who had edged a war of attrition with Galway, their closest All-Ireland final of the Kiely era, which they won by just two points 1-31 to 2-26. 2023 Limerick 1-23 Clare 1-22 Aaron Gillane is the start of this Munster final. Huge moment for Limerick as they move in front. ⌨️Updates: 📺Watch: #sundaygame — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 11, 2023 Clare had raised hopes that Limerick were mortal after all when edging their round-robin encounter by a point at the Gaelic Grounds – the Treaty's first championship defeat in almost four years. So they were happy to play the provincial rematch on Limerick's home turf rather than travel to the much further afield neutral venue of Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Things looked to be going to plan for the challengers at half-time as a Mark Rodgers goal had them 1-11 to 0-11 ahead. But, as so often, Limerick upped the intensity in the second half and Gillane (1-11, 8fs) took over. Clare surprisingly left Cian Nolan, already on a yellow card, on the danger man and his 44th-minute goal put them back in front. The hosts scored five in a row after Kelly had levelled and though the Banner pushed all the way, they could never draw level. The game finished in high drama, referee Liam Gordon playing on after a premature pitch invasion before controversially denying Clare a last-gasp free that could have forced extra-time. Hannon again lifted the trophy as Limerick became just the second county to win five Munster titles in succession and first since Cork in 1986. Clare gave a better account of themselves in the All-Ireland series, thumping Dublin in the quarters before a narrower semi-final loss to Kilkenny. Limerick were more comfortable winners over Galway this time, despite a difficult start, and produced one of the most sensational half hours of hurling ever seen in the final as they overturned a five-point deficit to thrash Kilkenny by nine and seal four in a row. 2024 Limerick 1-26 Clare 1-20 'Our first-half performance against the breeze was exceptional... we always found a way to get those extra couple of scores' John Kiely reflects on another Munster crown for Limerick 📺 Watch on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer 📱Updates — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 9, 2024 The record-breaking sixth triumph proved the easiest since the first. Limerick had beaten Clare in the group stages but only after the Banner imploded, having been nine points up by the 52nd minute. Surely revenge, and that long-awaited provincial title, were in store. They wouldn't make the same mistake with the venue anyway, we were heading back to Thurles. Different stadium, same outcome. A Peter Duggan goal levelled the game just before half-time, 1-10 to 0-13, but once again Limerick lifted it in the second half, Hegarty's opportunistic 46th-minute goal easing them into a lead Clare never cut to more than four points. Six Munsters in a row for a county that had won just one of the previous 22, taking them to 25 overall. There was a twist in the tale though. Clare finally got the better of Kilkenny in a semi-final and Cork stunned the champions, ending their drive for a first All-Ireland five-in-a-row. The Banner then edged a classic extra-time final by a single point.
