*Shane Meehan gets away from Conor Grooke. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’S hurlers will look to capture their first piece of silverware this weekend when taking on Dublin in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B final.
TUS Gaelic Grounds is the setting on Sunday at 13:45 for what will be the second meeting of the counties so far in 2026. Two points separated the sides in the first round of the league when Clare emerged as victors in Cusack Park, Brian Lohan’s charges have forged an unbeaten run in the second tier to secure their return to Division 1A at the first attempt.
Reports suggest two-time All-Ireland winner David McInerney is an injury doubt for Sunday’s curtain-raiser to the meeting of Cork versus Limerick. The Tulla defender has struggled to enjoy an injury-free run of form this season.
Following the conclusion of their group games, Clare’s panel headed off to Portugal for a training camp but were met by poor weather conditions.
It is expected that Clare will field a strong side in what will be their last outing before championship. Shane O’Donnell is anticipated to play a part this weekend as Lohan and his management zone in on preparations for Waterford in the first round of the Munster SHC.
Meanwhile, All-Ireland semi-finalists last season, Dublin have brought experienced names back to their squad with the returns of Liam Rushe and Cian Boland.
Thirty five year old Rushe last played for the Dubs in the 2022 Leinster SHC but returned to inter-county training last month, having previously turned down requests from manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin and his predecessor Micheál Donoghue.
An All-Ireland club winner with Na Fianna managed by Ó Ceallacháin in 2025, Rushe made his first appearance for Dublin as a nineteen year old in 2009 then managed by Anthony Daly, winning a NHL medal in 2011 and a Leinster SHC in 2013, picking up All Star awards in 2011 and 2013.
Also returning to the fray is Cian Boland who has been away from the Dublin panel since 2023. He sustained an achilles injury in 2021 when lining out for St. Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh.
Limerick City and County Council have confirmed that very significant road closures will operate this Sunday for the NHL double-header. Patrons have been advised to be parked at least one hour before the game and to use city centre off street car parks and free on street facilities.
“A capacity crowd of 44,000 is expected to attend the games, which will cause traffic disruption in Limerick City and approach roads to the city. To maximise everyone’s enjoyment of the day Garda advice to patrons is to arrive in plenty of time, to park cars legally, i.e. not causing obstruction, not parking on green areas or at locations where parking is prohibited. Cars illegally parked will be ticketed and those causing obstruction are likely to be towed away by Gardaí,” a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána advised.
The Ennis Road R445 from Union Cross to Ivan’s Cross/Caherdavin Cross will be closed to vehicular traffic from 12pm onwards. Traffic will be diverted to the Northern Ring Road, Clonmacken, Shannon Bridge and Thomond Bridge. A number of other rolling road closures/diversions will apply from 12pm to 7pm. Residential, business and emergency service vehicle access will be maintained.
Vehicle tow away will operate. Public bus routes will be kept running for as long as is possible up to match time at An Garda Síochána’s discretion.
Motorists using the Limerick Tunnel should consider using the main toll plaza, continue on the N18 to Exit 5 (Portdrine/Cratloe, take the N18 fly-over and take the Limerick Southern Ring Road to the Caherdavin Exit (R445) and utilise Ennis Road.
Road Closures/diversions will apply from 12pm onwards at the following locations:
- Sarsfield Bridge will be closed to outbound traffic. Motorists will be diverted at the junction of Henry Street and Sarsfield Street.
- Condell Road/Shelbourne Rd Lower junction. No traffic will be permitted to turn right off Condell Road onto Shelbourne Road.
- Clancy Strand/High Road. No traffic permitted onto Clancy Strand off High Road
- Belfield Court/High Road. Only residential traffic permitted onto Belfield Court off High Road.
- Stenson Park/Sexton Street North. Only residential traffic permitted into Stenson Park off Sexton Street North.
- Hassetts Cross/Shelbourne Rd junction. No traffic will be permitted onto Shelbourne Rd at Hassetts Cross. Traffic will be diverted to Cratloe Rd and Sexton St North
- Ennis Rd. At its junction with Ivan’s Cross – traffic will be diverted to Northern Ring Road and towards Clonmacken Road
- Salesian’s School/North Circular Road junction – Road Closure
- Shelbourne Road/North Circular Road at Clanmaurice Avenue – Road Closure
- Union Cross – traffic will be diverted to Shelbourne Rd
- Shelbourne Pk./Shelbourne Road – Road Closure
- Shelbourne Rd./Mayorstone Drive – Road Closure
- Cratloe Road at its junction with Mayorstone Avenue – Road Closure.
- Cratloe Road at its junction with Mayorstone Upper – Road Closure.
- Cratloe Road at its junction with Mayorstone Upper & T.U.S Roundabout (Merval Pk.) – Road Closure.
- Ennis Road/Derravarragh Road – only local residents permitted
Priority will be given to patrons exiting T.U.S. Gaelic Grounds after the game
Ennis Road will be closed from Sarsfield Bridge to Caherdavin Cross. Two lanes of traffic will operate outbound on the Ennis Road from Caherdavin Cross to Coonagh roundabout
All outbound traffic on Ennis Road from Caherdavin Cross to Coonagh roundabout will be directed out the R445 to the N18 and to take Exit 5 Portdrine/Cratloe, take flyover and Limerick Southern Ring Road back to Tunnel Toll Plaza and on to the Limerick Tunnel. Condell Road will be closed to inbound traffic at Coonagh roundabout.
Traffic on Clonmacken Road will be directed towards Clonmacken Road roundabout and Condell Road and will use Toll Plaza or Condell Road to Shannon Bridge.
Inbound traffic on Ennis Road will use Sarsfield Bridge to Limerick City centre. Inbound traffic on Cratloe Road will use Sexton Street North to Thomond Bridge to Island Road to Dublin Road and Limerick City centre. Brookeville Avenue at its junction with T.U.S. roundabout will be closed and traffic will use Cratloe Road inbound or Old Cratloe Road to Coonagh link road outbound. Redgate Road at its junction with Old Cratloe Road will be closed and only residents will be permitted into Redgate Road. Traffic will use Cratloe Road and Old Cratloe Road.
