who looked as if they had one hand on the Liam MacCarthy Cup. In spite of the defeat Kirby was later presented with a second All-Star award. Limerick surrendered their Munster title to Clare in 1995; however, Kirby picked up a third All-Star. The men from the Treaty county faced Tipperary in the provincial final the following year. All did not go to plan and looked to be heading out of the championship as Tipp took a ten-point lead. Kirby's side battled back to secure a 0-19 to 1-16 draw and a second chance to defeat their near rivals. The replay also saw Tipperary take a decisive lead; however, Limerick's goal-scoring ability was the deciding factor. A 4-7 to 0-16 score line gave Limerick the title and gave Kirby a second Munster winners' medal. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Limerick against Wexford for the first time in over forty years. The game was far from a classic; however, it did provide excitement. Tom Dempsey was the hero of the day as he scored a goal after nineteen minutes to give Wexford a major advantage. His side led by 1-8 to 0-10 at half-time in spite of having Éamonn Scallan sent off. Wexford took a four-point lead in the second-half; however, this was whittled back to two points as Wexford hung on for the last twenty minutes. The final score of 1-13 to 0-14 showed how vital Dempsey’s goal was. It was Limerick's second All-Ireland defeat in two years. Once again Kirby's individual skill was recognised when he collected his fourth All-Star award. In 1997 Limerick defeated Galway by 1-12 to 1-9 to take the National League title. It was Kirby's second winners' medal in that competition. The recent All-Ireland defeats, however, seemed to have damaged the team as Limerick crashed out of the provincial championship at an early stage. This process repeated itself over the next few years. Following Limerick's exit from the championship in 1999 Kirby decided to retire from inter-county hurling. Honours Limerick Senior Hurling Championship (10): 1984, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003 2 Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship (2): 1988, 1990 5 Limerick County Hurling League Division 1 1991 1995 1997 1999 2000 2 Railway Cup 1995 1996 2 Munster Senior Hurling Championship 1994 1996 2 National Hurling League 1992 1997 2 Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship 1986 1987 1 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship