Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days blared out over the tannoy prior to the start of this Allianz League Division 2 tie at breezy Páirc Tailteann yesterday and while that may have been a bit premature for the Royals there were some positive signs in this hard-fought victory.

Limerick were behind by eight points at half-time in their league game with Galway earlier in the season. They won’t want to be in a similar situation at any time tomorrow. They will be looking for a good start and their go-to man from puckouts, particularly early in the game, is Gearóid Hegarty.

Marcus Horan enjoyed a phenomenal playing career with Munster and Ireland, winning two Heineken Cups and a Grand Slam. But retiring from professional rugby was something the Clare native didn’t find so easy.