Adare are on a roll and ready to topple Ahane

AHANE, Adare, what’s between the two Limerick senior hurling finalists tomorrow but a couple of letters? More than that, a lot more than that.

When Adare were winning their first Limerick senior title last October, Ahane, champions on the double in ‘98 and ‘99, were at home counting their wounds after failing to make even the last four; they were also counting their senior county titles, a roll-leading 17. David and Goliath then? Well, not quite.

The tide has turned for Adare in Limerick hurling. After three failed attempts in the ‘90s to the same opposition, they cracked the tough old Patrickswell nut last year, and with it has come a release. Only briefly hitting the heights of last year’s performances (the final was especially eye-catching, including a tour-de-force from team captain and current potential Allstar Mark Foley), they have nevertheless fought their way back again to the biggest stage in Limerick hurling.