GAA Talking points: Ballygunner out to buck Leinster trend, Loughrea's Clare connection

In the eight meetings between Munster and Leinster sides in All-Ireland semi-finals across the last 30 years, Leinster are ahead 6-2.

Tadhg Foley of Ballygunner in action against Éire Óg Ennis players, from left, Marco Cleary, Aaron Fitzgerald and Shane O'Donnell during the AIB Munster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship final match between Ballygunner and Éire Óg Ennis at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Can Ballygunner break down the Leinster wall?

The circumstances weren’t exactly similar but less than six months on from the 1994 Offaly-Limerick All-Ireland final, there was a sense of déjà vu for a number of Birr and Kilmallock players in the 1995 All-Ireland club semi-final. In a good way for Birr’s county players. And in another devastating manner for Mike Houlihan and Davy Clarke, who again experienced the destruction of a late detonation from an Offaly side.