GAA preview and tips: Limerick should see off Rebels

By virtue of a last-gasp score in their one-point win over Cork last Sunday, Clare are awaiting their opponents for the June 11 final and many will anticipate Limerick joining them. It isn't a foregone conclusion for John Kiely's side, however.

Elsewhere, Carlow could stage an upset in the Joe McDonagh Cup final on Saturday evening.

Selections

Limerick should deliver a statement win

The All-Ireland champions Limerick certainly haven't had things their own way in a pulsating Munster SHC. Clare snapped their long unbeaten provincial sequence and that was followed by a pulsating draw with Tipperary in Semple Stadium.

When Tom Morrissey fired them a point clear deep into injury time, 14-man Limerick looked to have snatched a win, but a last-gasp free from substitute John McGrath forced a draw after an epic encounter.

Epic encounters appear to be the currency this championship deals in most.

In Ennis last Sunday, Cork trailed Clare by eight points when Tony Kelly found the net with the opening play of the second half, adding to his three-pointer late in the first period.

Patrick Horgan's goal for Cork six minutes from the end levelled matters, teeing up a grandstand finish, and it was wing-back Diarmuid Ryan who edged the crucial winning score from a mammoth 80 metres with the clock almost ticked down to send Clare to the final.

That late drama means Cork must head into the lion's den this weekend and overcome defending champions Limerick if they want a rematch with Clare in the Munster final.

Of course, a win for the Rebels would also have a seismic effect on the All-Ireland series, as it would see Limerick playing no further part in the championship.

Cork have been good at times this spring, but they may find themselves staring in the mirror come Sunday evening wondering what might have been as this Limerick side seem very unlikely to wilt on home soil with their season on the line.

Premier can secure final berth

Tipperary know that a win over pointless Waterford will guarantee a final meeting with the Banner on June 11 and they should have few problems achieving it.

A draw may also be enough, but it would need scoring difference to go their way as they drew with fellow finalist contenders Cork and Limerick, and one of them would likely join Tipp on five points come Sunday evening.

Tipperary will not want to be relying on that scenario, as a draw allied to a Cork win would see them miss out as the Rebels have a better scoring difference currently.

Given that they are hefty favourites to take care of a Waterford side running out of gas, Tipperary have the least amount of jeopardy on paper going into this Sunday sizzler from Munster.

Waterford's scoring difference across three games shows up at -23, with their four provincial rivals all showing positive returns to this point. Don't expect the Deise to be party poppers in Thurles.

Carlow fancied for Faithful upset

The Joe McDonagh Cup offers some much-needed exposure for the second tier hurling counties and it will be Carlow and Offaly that take centre stage at Croke Park on Saturday evening.

Carlow won this inaugural staging in 2018 and now seek to emulate Antrim in becoming the second two-time winners.

This is Offaly's third time competing for the Joe McDonagh Cup and the Faithful County are yet to win it. They are installed as strong favourites for this decider but will have no reason to be over-confident.

These sides clashed a fortnight ago in Cullen Park and the home side were very impressive.

Offaly, already assured of their place in this final, made 11 changes to their starting side and they were second-best in every aspect of the game, losing on a 1-29 to 0-14 scoreline that did not flatter the hosts.

Choosing to make so many changes was Offaly's prerogative last time, but they've surely served to instil some belief in the Carlow camp following that win and they'll make the journey to Headquarters in confident mood. Offaly are the right favourites but this should be close and Carlow make more appeal from a betting perspective.