CLUICHE CEANNAIS IOMÁNA SINSIR NA MUMHAN 2020 PORTAN LÁIRGE CLÁR v v LUIMNELUIMNEAACHCH CLÁR OIFIGIÚIL RÚNAÍ www.munster.gaa.ie STAID SEMPLE, DÚRLAS Dé Domhnaigh, 15 Samhain 2020 Tosnú: 4pm • Réiteoir: Colm Lyons (Corcaigh) A5 Programme ad copy.indd 1 19/10/2020 13:01 Fáilte ón gCathaoirleach morning, the gatherings in Liberty Square which houses the birthplace of the GAA, Hayes’ Hotel, the colour, the banter and the walk up to the Field of Legends that is Semple Stadium. Usually played in the summer months, it’s a joyous occasion for everyone involved and for whatever team you support, its always a privilege to be there. A Chairde go léir, Alas, for 2020, all of the positive characteristics Is cúis mhór áthais domsa, mar Chathaoirleach, referred to above will not take place due to the céad míle fáilte a chur roimh gach éinne Covid-19 pandemic which restricts today’s Final chuig Staid Semple do chluiche ceannais to be played behind closed doors. Having said iománaíochta na Mumhan 2020. Aon bhliain that, for the hurlers of Limerick and Waterford, eile bheadh an stáid i nDúrlas seo lán go doras once they cross the white lines today, the chun iománaithe na nDéise agus Luimnigh a objective will remain the same – play to their fheiceáil ag tabhairt aghaidh ar a chéile. Ach potential and bring home the Munster trophy. chuir COVID 19 deireadh leis na sluaithe móra. The players and their management teams have Táim cinnte go mbeidh na mílte daoine ag made many sacrifices and changed their normal féachaint agus ag éisteacht leis an gcluiche preparations to ensure their own safety while anseo sa bhaile agus ar fud an domhain. still seeking to achieve the highest standards of excellence. I wish them every success today and in Fáilte ar leith roimh an dá fhoireann, na foirne the All-Ireland series to follow. bainistíochta agus na hoifigí ón dá chontae. Tá éacht déanta ag na hoibrithe deonacha i Finally, a lot goes in to the running of a game in gCumann Luthchleas Gael chun srian a chur le normal circumstances. With no crowd control to scaipeadh an Víreas. cater for, the focus for our small group of stewards and officials has been on ensuring the safety of Guím rath ar an réiteoir Colm Lyons agus a all who attend our games I would like to thank fhoireann agus ar na daoine ar fad atá ag obair i everyone involved who has made the staging of Staid Semple inniu. Tá an dul chun cinn déanta ag our games successful and also in compliance with imreoirí na nDéise i mbliana agus tá súil agam go Health and Safety guidelines. mbeidh sár cluiche idir iad féin agus buaiteoirí na Sraithe Allianz 2020. I wish everyone watching today’s game at home, from whatever part of the world you are in all On behalf of Comhairle na Mumhan I welcome the very best. Thank you for your interest in our the Players and their Management Teams of games and stay safe. Limerick and Waterford to Semple Stadium for today’s Munster Hurling Final. Best wishes also to Bainigí taitneamh as ár gcluichí. referee Colm Lyons and his officials. Beir bua is beannacht Munster Hurling Final day in Thurles has always brought much fanfare to the Mid Tipperary town. Liam Ó Loineacháin The anticipation of the game, the hoardes of CATHAOIRLEACH supporters coming by train or car from early in the COMHAIRLE NA MUMHAN 2020 MUNSTER SHC FINAL WATERFORD v LIMERICK 3 A5 Programme ad copy.indd 1 19/10/2020 13:01 SPONSOR MESSAGE FROM BORD GÁIS ENERGY It’s fair to say that everything about this year’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship is different, from the time of year to the colour of the sliotar. At Bord Gáis Energy we’re conscious that the match-day experience is very different for so many people this year, but we know that this hasn’t stopped you, the fans, getting behind your county and getting involved. We wish both teams, Limerick and Waterford, the very best of luck today and know that you will be cheering them on from the safety of your home. Bord Gáis Energy has a long and proud association with the GAA and particularly hurling. This is our fourth year as sponsor of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship and twelfth as title sponsors of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Hurling Under 20 Championship. We’re committed to supporting and promoting the Championships for hurling fans and Rewards Club members right across the country. At Bord Gáis Energy we know how loved hurling is in the communities in which our customers, and indeed our colleagues, live and work. To coincide with the rescheduled hurling season, we’ve launched GAAGAA Box - an exciting new online video series filmed in the front-rooms of the most passionate hurling supporters across the country to record the agony and the ecstasy they experience while watching their beloved counties in action at home. You can keep up to date with the latest episodes by following #HurlingToTheCore across social media. Finally, I hope you all enjoy today’s game. May the best team win. Dave Kirwan Managing Director of Bord Gáis Energy 4 SPONSOR MESSAGE FROM LITTLEWOODS IRELAND On behalf of all the team in Littlewoods Ireland, I’m delighted to be entering our fourth year sponsoring the GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. This year has truly been like no other. Now more than ever we’ve seen what the GAA represents; what it means to people, and the joy it brings to people’s lives. It makes us very proud to show our continued support for the GAA through our sponsorships of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, as well as the National Camogie Leagues and the GAA Go Games Provincial Days. This season, the Littlewoods Ireland ‘Style Meets Substance’ campaign shines a spotlight on the great people who make the GAA, and their passion for hurling. Hurling people have their own individual style, but we all share one thing, a love for the game, and it’s the Championship that really brings us to life. Already looking forward to the day when we can all attend matches again and experience that sense of joy and excitement together. For today’s finalists, Limerick and Waterford, today marks a significant step on the journey towards, what both teams hope, will be an All-Ireland title on the 13th of December. On behalf of Littlewoods Ireland, I would like to wish both teams the best of luck. Rossa Butler Managing Director of Littlewoods Ireland messages from our sponsors SPONSOR MESSAGE FROM CENTRA The 2020 Hurling Championship is one like no other and indeed Hurling is a game like no other. What separates us as counties, binds us together as communities. It’s great to finally experience this unique and legendary sport once again. Over the last few months we have dreamed of Munster Hurling Final days like this. Centra like the GAA prides itself in being an active part of every community in which we are involved in. In Centra community matters to us, as we are at the heart of over 460 communities. In March of this year, we put out the call for you to Club Together and help us to support those in our communities who had one else to lean on. You answered that call immediately with the compassion pride and passion that is unique to the GAA community. On behalf of Centra retailers across the country and the most vulnerable in our communities I thank you wholeheartedly. I would like to congratulate the players from Limerick and Waterford, their loyal supporters and all those who worked hard to bring both teams here today. Excitement is building up in homes around the country as we all get behind our counties. We have witnessed a fantastic season so far and I have no doubt that today’s clash of the ash will be just as exciting. I wish both teams, their management and their fans, the best of luck in today’s final. Míle buíochas. Is Mise le Meas, Ray Kelly Centra Interim Managing Director 5 6 TODAY’S REFEREE Colm Lyons (CORK) When did you start refereeing? I began refereeing back in 2003 after getting a flavour of refereeing Cumann na mBunscol Primary Schools matches. I then attended an excellent referees’ beginners course over four nights facilitated by referee tutor John Motherway. What finals have you refereed? I’ve been lucky so far to have refereed a number of high-profile hurling games within Cork and outside the county. I’ve refereed numerous underage county finals as well as Minor, 21, Junior, Intermediate finals, along with three Senior County Premier Hurling Finals. In Munster, I’ve refereed two Munster Minor Finals (2009 and 2012) as well as one Senior Club Final (2013). On the intercounty scene I’ve been in charge of the All-Ireland Minor Final in 2012 and the following year I refereed the Under 21 All-Ireland Final. I’ve been fortunate enough to have acted as linesman for two Senior All-Ireland finals in 2014 and 2016 along with standby referee for the 2017 Final. I refereed the 2017 Allianz Hurling League Final between Galway and Tipperary, the 2017 Leinster Hurling Final between Wexford and Galway and the 2018 and 2020 All-Ireland Club Senior Hurling Finals. What advice would you have for any aspiring referee? I have huge respect for any person who decides to take up the whistle or officiates in matches whether they are referee, linesman or umpire.