Kieran Shannon: Vulnerable Limerick showing signs of slippage

For the first time in years you’d now pick the field over Limerick themselves to win the All-Ireland. Everywhere you look there are signs of slippage

FRUSTRATION: Cian Lynch of Limerick reacts after hitting a wide during the Munster SHC round 4 match at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

This time they’ve let it go right down to the wire.

The first year we were treated to the round-robin provincial hurling championships coincided with the equally brilliant novelty of Limerick winning an All-Ireland and that season and every subsequent one there’s been a round-robin John Kiely’s men have managed to secure their ticket for the All Ireland knockout stages with a group game to spare.