Huge weekend ahead as hurling stars bid for final and ‘Giants’ singer set to rock Limerick

LIMERICK people are gearing up for a weekend to remember as the senior hurlers bid for a fourth straight All-Ireland final appearance and international superstar Dermot Kennedy rocks Thomond Park!

Normally, on a weekend when Limerick’s hurlers are playing in Croke Park, all roads lead to Dublin.

But, this weekend, with the ‘Power Over Me’ singer playing three nights at the home of Munster Rugby, thousands of people will be heading in opposite directions in and out of the city - with some even attending both spectacles.

Thomond Park will hold “30,000-plus” people for each concert, said stadium boss John Cantwell.

“The foot is to the pedal, and everyone is doing a great job,” he told the Leader.

“It's going to be a great three days and nights for Limerick, and we're glad to be able to make it happen,” he added.

In readiness for the influx of visitors, publicans in Limerick city will, this Thursday, seek permission to pour pints until 2am on Saturday and Sunday.

More than 20,000 Limerick hurling fans are expected to travel to Croke Park in the hope of seeing the Treatymen beat Galway for a second year in-a-row in the semi-final and progress to a fourth consecutive All-Ireland senior hurling final.

Tickets for all areas of GAA HQ remain on sale ahead of Saturday evening's match, throw-in at 6pm, which will be televised live on RTÉ Two.

It’s a repeat of last year's semi-final in which Limerick prevailed by three points on the road to a third consecutive Liam MacCarthy cup win.

All you need to know about Dermot Kennedy's gigs in Limerick

Again, this year, the defending champions have injury concerns, with influential captain Declan Hannon out, alongside key defender Sean Finn.

The talismanic Cian Lynch is injury free, but it remains to be seen whether he will feature in the showdown.

There are only limited seats remaining on coaches to and from Dublin. A small number of seats remained on sale as of this Tuesday for train services from Limerick to Heuston Station.

However, Saturday's last three trains from the capital back to Limerick - at 9pm, 9:10pm and 9:40pm - are sold out.

Limerick v Galway All-Ireland semi-final - All you need to know

As for accommodation in Dublin, the cheapest private rooms available start from €107 on hotel reservations website, booking.com.

The pubs will be packed back in Limerick on Saturday with many fans watching the game before heading to Thomond Park for Dermot Kennedy's gig - some tickets were still available this Tuesday for the gigs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening.

Robert Byrne, the proprietor of Bobby Byrne's pub in the city, and the chairman of the local Vintners Federation branch, confirmed the group will seek permission of the District Court this Thursday to pour pints until 2am Saturday and Sunday, and a little later after the usual Sunday night closing time.

“It’s a clash of great events: we're looking forward to a late exemption being granted to allow people in Limerick to come back into town after the gig and enjoy what the city has to offer,” he said.

Hotels in the city are almost fully booked for the gigs, with only limited spots left.

General manager of the Absolute Hotel in the city, Donnacha Hurley said: “It's going to be a rocking couple of days. You get the feeling something special is on.”