Limerick Dominate Waterford in 2026 Munster Senior Hurling League Final
Limerick manager John Kiely expressed satisfaction following his team’s extensive 0-23 to 0-15 victory over Waterford in the 2026 Munster Senior Hurling League final, played under overcast conditions in Mallow. The win provides a valuable boost for the Shannonsiders ahead of their upcoming Allianz League campaign.
While the Munster Senior Hurling League doesn’t typically garner significant attention, this performance signaled a strong start to the season for Limerick. The team capitalized on a blessed fixture, secured after both Cork and Clare were eliminated from contention, giving them a crucial run-out two weeks before their Division 1A Allianz League opener against Waterford.
Limerick entered the match with an advantage, as Waterford was without its Ballygunner players. Despite a competitive first half where Waterford only trailed by a narrow margin – shooting eight wides to Limerick’s two – the reigning champions demonstrated their championship pedigree after the interval. A senior official stated the team displayed “slick, fast, controlled movements” reminiscent of the form that has yielded five All-Ireland titles in the last eight years.
The sold-out crowd of 2,000 witnessed a display of offensive prowess and defensive solidity. Whenever Limerick needed to increase their lead, the sliotar moved swiftly through the lines, while their defense effectively stifled Waterford’s attacks, limiting them to just seven second-half points.
SCORERS:
LIMERICK: Shane O’Brien 0-3,Gearóid Hegarty 0-2,Joe Fitzgerald,Donnacha Ó Dálaigh,Fintan Fitzgerald,Ethan Hurley,Cathal O’Neill,Adam English 0-1 each.
WATERFORD: Reuben Halloran 0-8 (7 frees), Billy Nolan 0-2 (2 frees), Seán Mackey, Jack Twomey, Jamie Barron, Jack Fagan, Shane Bennett 0-1 each.
TEAMS:
LIMERICK: Colin Ryan; Vince Harrington, Barry Murphy, Eddie Stokes; Darragh Langan, William O’Donoghue, Matthew Fitzgerald; Joe Fitzgerald, Darragh O’donoghue; Gearóid Hegarty, Aidan O’Connor, John English; Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Shane O’Brien, Fintan Fitzgerald. SUBS: Seán Finn for Barry Murphy (injured, 17 minutes), Nickie Quaid for Colin Ryan (half-time), Colin Coughlan for Darragh Langan (half-time), Ethan Hurley for joe Fitzgerald (half-time), Tom Morrissey for John English (half-time), Oisín O’Farrell for Shane O’Brien (half-time), Cathal O’Neill for Fintan Fitzgerald (half-time), Hugh Flanagan for Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (41 minutes), Oisín O’Farrell for Shane O’Brien (41 minutes), Chris thomas for Vince Harrington (48 minutes), Dylan O’Shea for Matthew Fitzgerald (48 minutes).
WATERFORD: Billy Nolan; Máirtín Power, conor Prunty, PJ Fanning; Jack Fagan, Mark Fitzgerald, Shane Bennett; Darragh Lyons, Tom Barron; Séamus Fitzgerald, Reuben Halloran, Jack Twomey; Jamie Barron, Charlie Treen, Seán mackey. SUBS: James Power for Jack Twomey (42 minutes), Brian Lynch for Fitzgerald (48 minutes), Marc Mahony for Charlie Treen (48 minutes), Michael Mullaney for Séamus Fitzgerald (54 minutes), Jack lacey for Darragh Lyons (56 minutes), Evan Spellman for shane Bennett (58 minutes).
REFEREE: John Bugler (Clare).
Whether this early-season form will translate into success in the spring and summer remains to be seen,but Limerick’s dominant performance in Mallow has undoubtedly laid a strong foundation for their 2026 campaign.
