1. A classic in Limerick
Six goals and 42 points over the course of 80 minutes of pulsating action. A thrilling game that was only finally decided in extra-time with two last-gasp points enabling one side to pull clear of the other.
A Munster semi-final that concludes 3-22 to 3-20 offers a super advertisement for hurling. The fact that this game yesterday in Kilmallock occurred on the club stage in mid-November makes it more extraordinary.
It was gripping stuff between Sarsfields and Kilmallock as they played out an encounter of terrific entertainment. The closing chapters in normal and extra-time were tense and dramatic before Kilmallock eventually prevailed.
TG4’s decision to send the cameras down to South Limerick was rewarded.
2. Contrasting tales of persistence for Kilmallock and Sarsfields
Finally this group of Kilmallock players got their wish. Their club has a fine history having won two Munster club crowns in 1992 and 1994 but their current team has found the provincial game a tough nut to crack. Thurles Sarsfields knocked them out in 2010 and 2012 before yesterday Kilmallock finally graduated to Munster final day.
They persisted in yesterday’s game to win and they’ve persisted over the last few years to get this chance.
In contrast, there’s more heartache for Sarsfields. They’ve been the outstanding side in Cork in recent years, their 2008 triumph preceding three more county titles.
But their Munster record shows they’ve only managed one win – against Clonlara in 2008 – in that time frame.
They’ve competed strongly in all their outings but suffered narrow defeats, including harrowing ones after extra-time. The latest reversal is a gut-wrencher for the Cork club.
3. Cratloe’s dual dream lives on
The consensus has been that Cratloe’s dual mandate would hurt them at this time of year as they progressed further in the provincial series. It’s shown little sign of hurting them so far as their Munster semi-final win over Thurles Sarsfields means they are now unbeaten in 13 hurling and football championship games in 2014.
It’s a remarkable record. Yesterday they opened their shoulders and let the attacking capabilities of Conor McGrath and Podge Collins be expressed. They’d shown their mettle in the last round to prevail in the rain against Ballygunner.
Now a first Munster hurling final beckons but before that they’ll have a trip to Dungarvan next Sunday for a football semi-final with The Nire. It’s an amazing story and no one in the South-East Clare village wants it to end.
4. Thurles hit with hammer blow at the start
Heading to Ennis for a provincial semi-final, just a week after the high of winning the final in their own county, meant today was always going to be a tall order for Thurles Sarsfields. Seeing county man, and key component of their setup, Denis Maher shown a red card 10 seconds into the game caused irreparable damage to their hopes.
Thurles had to rip up their gameplan as they were essentially a man down for the whole game. While they stuck admirably at the cause and only lost by seven in the end, it was too much of a handicap to bear.
Losing at the first hurdle will be a big disappointment to a side that still rue their 2013 All-Ireland semi-final loss.
5. Clare and Limerick to collide on final day
For the third time in four years, we’re left with a Clare and Limerick stand-off in the Munster senior club hurling final. The intrigue in the latest instalment lies in the fact that both teams will have intense motivation. Cratloe have never been in a Munster hurling final and neither have this group of Kilmallock players as the club has been in the provincial wilderness for two decades.
There’ll be a high level of familiarity between the two sets of players from inter-county jousts and Fitzgibbon Cup battles. Another novel angle is the fact that Cratloe native Tony Considine coached Kilmallock to county title wins in 2010 and 2012.
The stakes will be high on 23 November and it’s a game loaded with potential.
