Duignan Detailed New Limerick Issue Which Gives Waterford 'Great Chance'

Waterford have emerged as real contenders after the first two rounds of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship look ahead of a key clash with Limerick this weekend.

Waterford have not beaten Limerick in Championsip hurling since 2011 and are expectedly underdogs against the reigning Munster champions.

Limerick won their sixth consecutive Munster title in 2024 against Clare, something which reinforces their status as favourites.

Waterford meanwhile, have never advanced from the round-robin format since it was introduced in 2018 - a year after losing the 2017 Munster final.

However, after watching all four rivals draw in the first round of fixtures, Waterford went on to stun Clare in convincing fashion at Walsh Park last weekend.

The Deise are in a favourable place and have momentum and prominent hurling pundit Michael Duignan has given them a 'great chance' of stunning Limerick.

There are question marks (over Limerick) and I think it is a great opportunity for Waterford," he said on the RTÉ GAA Podcast.

"I think they have very little to lose in this game. Last week there was pressure on them because of their poor record and where they've been.

"But they knew themselves and we talked about it last week, (there's) a sense that they really have bought into Peter Queally.

"It's a real Waterford thing. Sometimes an outside manager can work really well and I think it was the time for them to close shop and they've done that and getting two home games in a row, just the way the draw went, I think is very significant as well.

"So they have a great chance but I am expecting a much better performance from Limerick as well."

Victory would effectively ensure their progression into the All-Ireland Championship and help them in their quest to reach the Munster final.

However, Duignan has pointed to the fact that Limerick's dominant cohort of serial winners are all getting up there in age having broken through in the same era.

Barry Murphy has been tried at corner back but didn't go that well against Tipp... Sean Finn and Mike Casey - two great players - but mileage and injuries," he said.

"Diarmuid Burns is showing signs of the years; Will O'Donoghue is showing signs. These are all generational players, Declan Hannon, one of the great All-Ireland winning captains...

"Tom Morrissey, Gearoid Hegarty maybe to a lesser extent and Cian Lynch... they are all all of a sudden 30+ at the one time.

"That is the challenge John Kiely has."

It hasn't been a brilliant year for Limerick by their high standards, drawing away to Tipperary after failing to reach the Allianz League final.

Their meeting with Waterford will be played at Walsh Park, giving the underdogs home advantage for the second game on the spin.