Charleville get nod to edge early Christmas cracker

THE last big game of the 2011 Munster hurling calendar and, make no mistake, while the names of the two finalists may not resonate across the country, for two clubs with a long and proud hurling history this is a big game.

There was a time back in the 1950s when Cappamore were monarchs of Limerick, county senior champions three times that decade. Finding themselves down in junior ranks then, which was where they’ve been for the last few years, was seen very much as slumming it.

Winning the county junior title was a must, a first step in the restoration of lost pride. Last year they fell to eventual champions Effin by seven points in the quarter-final. This year they made it all the way, though it took three games to get past the Kilmallock second string (first game abandoned due to the weather, the next game drawn, then – only last Saturday – eventual victory).