Limerick vs Kilkenny: All-Ireland Hurling Final 2023
The 2023 GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship has reached its climax, and the Liam MacCarthy Cup will find its new home in the epic clash between defending champions Limerick and fearsome Kilkenny. Scheduled for Sunday at Croke Park, this showdown promises an exhilarating display of skill, determination and tradition. Limerick are aiming to make history as the third side to complete a four in a row, while Kilkenny are aiming for their 37th crown. Let’s dive into the paths both teams took to the final and explore their thrilling rivalry.
Can Limerick complete the All-Ireland final four in a row
Limerick Dominance:
Limerick enter the final with an exceptional record, offering to join the exclusive club of teams that have won four successive All-Ireland titles. Led by their veteran manager, John Kiely, they have been a force to be reckoned with, picking up five titles over the past six years. The defending champions can’t wait to etch their name in the annals of hurling history with another momentous victory.
Paths to the final
The Limerick Journey:
Limerick’s road to the final was filled with intense battles and extraordinary displays of skill. Let’s take a look back at their remarkable run in the championship:
– Limerick 1-18 Waterford 0-19 (Munster ’round robin’)
– Clare 1-24 Limerick 2-20 (Munster ’round robin’)
– Limerick 0-25 Tipperary 0-25 (Munster ’round robin’)
– Limerick 3-25 Cork 1-30 (Munster ’round robin’)
– Limerick 1-23 Clare 1-22 (Munster final)
– Limerick 2-24 Galway 1-18 (All-Ireland semi-final)
Throughout the Championship, Limerick showed their goalscoring prowess, with Aaron Gillane leading the charge with an impressive 3-42 tally. The team’s collective efforts propelled them to the final, thanks to their exceptional goal-scoring ability and strategic gameplay.
## Kilkenny’s determination
The Kilkenny Pursuit:
Kilkenny, a team steeped in hurling history, are determined to reclaim the All-Ireland title. Their last triumph came in 2015, and now, under the guidance of Derek Lyng, they are aiming to secure their 37th crown. Kilkenny had a commendable run throughout the Championship, displaying his unwavering spirit and determination.
Championship fixtures and rivalry
Historical Rivalry:
Limerick and Kilkenny have a historic rivalry, having met fifteen times in the Championship. Kilkenny have emerged victorious nine times, while Limerick have won six. The two powers have met in nine All-Ireland finals, with Limerick winning five to Kilkenny’s four.
In recent years, the rivalry between Limerick and Kilkenny has intensified, with thrilling encounters leaving fans on the edge of their seat. Last year’s All-Ireland final saw Limerick triumph 1-31 to 2-26, and this year’s Allianz League final further cemented Limerick’s dominance, securing a convincing victory for 2-20 to 0-15.
Key players and top scorers
Limerick’s attacking prowess:
Limerick has a roster of talented players who have consistently delivered outstanding performances. Here are Limerick’s top scorers in the Championship:
1. Aaron Gillane – 3-42 (0-29 free)
2. Diarmuid Byrnes – 1-19 (0-13 free, 1-0 pen)
3. Seamus Flanagan – 4-9
4. Tom Morrissey – 0-17 (0-1 free)
5. Cathal O’Neill – 1-10
6. Gearoid Hegarty – 0-8
7. Peter Casey – 0-6
Kilkenny’s Offensive Threat
Key contributors:
Kilkenny has a formidable attacking force, led by its top scorers:
1. TJ Reid – 2-66 (0-47 free, 0-6 ’65s’, 0-1 s/l)
2. Eoin Cody – 4-21
3. Martin Keoghan – 5-9
4. Adrian Mullen – 0-15
5. Tom Phelan – 1-9
6. Billy Ryan – 0-10
7. Walter Walsh – 1-5
The Referee and Final Thoughts
Crown the Champions:
The final will be officiated by Wicklow’s John Keenan, who becomes the first man from Wicklow to referee the All-Ireland hurling final in decades. Keenan’s presence on the pitch adds an extra layer of significance to this highly anticipated matchup.
As Limerick and Kilkenny prepare to battle it out for hurling supremacy, the stage is set for an exciting encounter that will captivate fans and add another glorious chapter to the illustrious history of the All Ireland Hurling Finals. Both teams have the skills, determination and thirst for victory that will undoubtedly make this confrontation an unforgettable spectacle.
Starting squads for Kilkenny v Limerick
We will be teams on Thursday night
LiveScores now available on IrishScores.com
