The Munster Council are confident the 30,000-barrier will be broken for the second week running as a crowd of up to 35,000 is forecast for the Munster SHC meeting of Limerick and Cork.

Sunday’s clash at the LIT Gaelic Grounds represents the opening game of Limerick’s All-Ireland title defence, while Cork, following their defeat to Tipperary last weekend, must take at least a point if they’re to stand a reasonable chance of finishing in the top three in the province.

Last year’s Cork-Limerick Munster SHC clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh was watched by 34,607 patrons, with Munster Council expecting a similar attendance this Sunday. Following on from the crowd of 30,274 at last weekend’s Cork-Tipperary fixture, that the 30,000 mark will be surpassed twice within eight days reaffirms the lure of the Munster hurling championship. The combined attendance at last weekend’s two Leinster SHC games was less than 16,000.

Limerick manager John Kiely is hopeful of a sizeable home following on Sunday.

“We’ve had phenomenal support over the last number of years so we are very, very fortunate to have them. There are days when you really, really need your supporters and I have a feeling on Sunday that we’re going to need every one of them,” said Kiely.

Everybody loves the Munster championship. We have a lot of work put in. It is time now to put our cards on the table and see where we go.

A crowd of between 20,000 and 22,000 is expected for the meeting of Tipperary and Waterford at Semple Stadium on Sunday.