Clare v Limerick Prediction, Preview & Odds – Munster Hurling Final

We have a Clare v Limerick prediction for you plus all the betting odds ahead of this Sunday afternoon’s Munster Hurling Final.

Clare v Limerick Match Info

When? 1.45pm, Sunday, June 11th

Where? Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

TV Channel: RTÉ 2

Clare v Limerick Preview

Clare’s Form

2023 National League

Clare came into this year’s Munster Championship after some up and down form in the National League. The Banner men played their hurling in Division 1 Group A and earned 5 points out of a possible 10 with 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. It’s also worth noting that their two wins came against Wexford and Westmeath who had a combined two points between them.

2022 Hurling Championship

This was a disappointing league campaign to say the least for a county that had really impressed in last year’s Munster Championship. Many people, including myself, thought that Clare were the best contender to knock Limerick off of their perch. They topped last year’s Munster Hurling table after going unbeaten including a draw against Limerick.

A shock trashing at the hands of Kilkenny in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final meant that they wouldn’t get a chance to take on the Treaty County in the All-Ireland final.

Munster Championship 2023

With all that in mind it’s fair to say that there were question marks around Clare heading into this summer’s Munster Hurling Championship, and justifiably so. The Banner answered those questions by bouncing back from an opening round loss to Tipp to win their final three group games, including a win over Limerick, to top the group and secure a Munster Final spot.

Clare, remarkably, have not won a Munster Championship since 1998 while they are coming up to 10 years now since their last All-Ireland Hurling title. They have what it takes to beat Limerick without a doubt. The only concern is their inability to get over the line in the big games in recent years.

Limerick’s Form

The kings of modern hurling. Limerick have won four of the last five All-Ireland Hurling Championships. It’s not an exaggeration to say that they are standard-bearers in hurling as they have revolutionised the sport with their short-passing, high-pressing style of play.

2023 National League

Limerick had a strong National League campaign this spring. They played their hurling in Division 1A and had a record of 4 wins and 1 loss which was good enough to secure a League final spot. Their one loss came in the opening round by a single point against Cork.

The Treaty County would go on to face Kilkenny in the League final and they proved once again that they are a class apart from the rest of the country as they coasted to an 11-point victory against The Cats for more national silverware.

2022 Hurling Championship

Limerick are the reigning All-Ireland Champions and Munster Champions. It’s fair to say that they weren’t as dominant as we’ve seen them in the past but they still went through the entire Championship unbeaten.

Clare were the team that gave them the most trouble as the two teams drew in their Munster Group stage game and it took extra-time for Limerick to come out on top in the Munster Final.

Galway gave the Treaty County’s men a good game in the All-Ireland semi-final but the Munster men outlasted the Westerners to come out on top by 3-points at full-time.

In the All-Ireland Final Limerick came up against old foes Kilkenny and did just enough to edge the game by two points for their third consecutive All-Ireland title.

Munster Hurling Championship 2023

Limerick have not been their usual selves in this year’s Munster Championship. They stumbled across the line in their opening round game against Waterford for a 2-point victory.

In the second round they took on Clare, who they will be facing in this Munster final, and were deservedly beaten by the Banner County. A draw against Tipperary in the next round meant that they went into the final group game knowing that a loss to Cork would see them knocked out of this year’s All-Ireland Championship.

In a cracking game played in front of a 40,000 strong crowd Limerick did just enough to beat the Rebels by the minimum and earn a spot in this year’s Munster Final.

They might not be the dominant force that they once were but Limerick will still fancy themselves against anyone and with the talent in that squad who’d blame them.

Key Players To Watch

Diarmaid Byrnes

Limerick defender Diarmaid Byrnes has been the leading light for his county in this year’s Championship. If it weren’t for his man-of-the-match performance against Cork it’s likely that the Treaty County would be knocked out of the Championship and watching this year’s Munster Final from their couches.

The Patrickswell man lines up for his county from the wing-back position where he is keen to get involved in the attack at every opportunity. In fact, Byrnes became the highest scoring defender in the history of hurling last time out against Cork after putting 1-04 on the scoreboard to help Limerick across the line.

A big part of Clare’s defensive game plan on Sunday will revolve around keeping Byrnes quiet. Easier done on the tactics board than the field,

Tony Kelly

It’s no exaggeration to call Kelly one of the great hurlers of his generation. Kelly led Clare to their last All-Ireland title in 2013 when he became the first ever player to win the Young Hurler of the Year and Hurler of the Year award in the same season.

The Ballyea clubman has since won three All-Star awards with each of those coming in the last three season (2020, 2021 and 2022). In his last outing he scored 2-04 against Cork with 1-04 of that coming from play.

If Kelly can lead Clare to their first Munster title since 1998 it will cement his legacy as one of the finest hurlers the county has ever produced.

Clare v Limerick Head-To-Head Results

Limerick 2-20 Clare 1-24 | 2023 Munster Championship Group Stage

Limerick 1-27 Clare 2-18 | 2023 National Hurling League Division 1A

Clare 0-29 Limerick 1-29 AET | 2022 Munster Championship Final

Clare 0-24 Limerick 1-21 | 2022 Munster Championship Group Stage

Clare v Limerick Betting Odds

Limerick are the favourites ahead of this year’s Munster Hurling Championship final at odds of 1/2.

You can back Clare at odds of 9/4 which makes them the underdogs for this game.

The draw after 70 minutes, which has happened two of the last four times these teams have played, is priced up at odds of 8/1.

Clare v Limerick Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Limerick 1-22 Clare 2-23

I’m backing Clare to beat Limerick and win their first Munster title in 25 years! The Banner men have been Limerick’s bogey team for the last couple of years but never quite been able to get over the line in Munster.

Now is their time, they’ve beaten them already in the group stage of this competition and I fancy them to repeat that feat against a Limerick squad that is not the dominant force that they once were.

The other big game this weekend is the Leinster Final where Kilkenny take on Galway. We previewed the big game in our Kilkenny v Galway Prediction post where we took a look at the form, key players and head-to-head results.

Best Bet: Clare To Win The Match @ 9/4 (not including extra-time or penalties).

*Prices subject to fluctuation

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