Clare won the championship, beating Offaly 1-13 to 2-8 in the final at Croke Park, Dublin, it was their first All-Ireland win since 1914.

Former President of the GAA, Dr. Mick Loftus, was one of the most vocal critics of the proposed sponsorship deal.

At a meeting of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Central Council on 6 May, the decision to make Guinness the sponsor was accepted almost unanimously.

They were the reigning National Hurling League champions and had won back-to-back championship titles from three successive final appearances between 1991 and 1993.

They faced a more difficult passage through the provincial series, however, an anticipated Leinster final meeting with Kilkenny was the only thing stopping the team from making it two-in-a-row.

Following the trauma of their All-Ireland defeat the previous year, Limerick were still regarded as the brightest prospect in Munster.

One team is eliminated at this stage, while the winners advance to the All-Ireland semi-final where the play the Munster champions.

One team is eliminated at this stage, while the winners advance to the All-Ireland semi-final where they play the Leinster champions.