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Limerick will attempt Kilkenny’s attempt at a clean sweep of All-Ireland Hurling Championships when the counties clash in an attractive Intermediate Final at Semple Stadium in Thurles on Saturday next (3.30pm).
 Intermediate Hurling Manager Gerry Molyneaux and captain Alan O’Connor (right) lead the charge against Kilkenny in the All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Final this weekend.
The all-conquering Cats are in line to win the senior, intermediate, U21 and minor national crowns and will attempt to secure the first of this historic quartet of triumphs at Limerick’s expense. Not surprisingly, Kilkenny – who overcame fancied Galway in a semi-final tie that necessitated extra-time – have been installed as favourites for the silverware.
“That suits us just fine,” stated Limerick manager Gerry Molyneaux. “Kilkenny are a very fine side, with solid defenders and stylish forwards. We knew only too well that we will have to hurl out of our skins to beat them, but we will do that and have the ability to get one over on arguably the greatest hurling dynasty of the modern era. We’re firmly focused on winning an All-Ireland for Limerick.”
Molyneaux’s confidence is shared by fellow mentor Jimmy Stapleton. “I’ve never been involved with a group of players so determined to win,” he stated. “They’ve put in a ferocious amount of work, something like 25 practice matches, outside of the two championship games that we’ve been involved in. Limerick badly needs this All-Ireland title to bring some pride back into the county.”
Limerick were last winners of this championship under the stewardship of Frankie Costello and the late goalkeeping great Tommy Quaid in 1998. That successful team of a decade ago was captained by Monaleen’s John Cormican, with another city colleague in Alan O’Connor (Ballybrown) as leader this time around.
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