Downes back from cruciate, Reidy back from Kildare and U21 winners added to Limerick panel

KEVIN DOWNES AND David Reidy are two notable players returning to an extended Limerick senior hurling panel that has been named ahead of the 2018 season.

Limerick hurlers Kevin Downes and David Reidy set for action in 2018. INPHO INPHO

Downes missed the 2017 campaign after tearing his cruciate while Reidy lined out for the Kildare senior hurlers.

The Limerick Leader newspaper have revealed that the Na Piarsaigh and Dromin-Athlacca players are back in action in the squad compiled by manager John Kiely.

Downes is one of 10 players included from his club who contest next Sunday’s AIB Munster senior hurling final against Ballygunner in Semple Stadium.

The Limerick squad is packed with players from September’s All-Ireland U21 triumph. There are new additions to the senior panel from the starting side in that final win over Kilkenny in Darragh Fanning, Thomas Grimes and Barry Murphy.

Long-serving players Gavin O’Mahony and James Ryan have both retired since the close of the 2017 campaign.

Gavin O'Mahony and James Ryan in action against Tipperary's Eoin Kelly in 2012. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

2018 Limerick hurling panel

1. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
2. Alan Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
3. David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
4. Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh)
5. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
7. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)
8. Thomas Grimes (Na Piarsaigh)
9. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
10. Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh)
11. Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock)
12. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
13. Paddy O’Loughlin (Kilmallock)
14. Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock)
15. Richie English (Doon)
16. Pat Ryan (Doon)
17. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
18. Barry Murphy (Doon)
19. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
20. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
21. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
22. Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
23. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
24. Paul Browne (Bruff)
25. Sean Finn (Bruff)
26. Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen)
27. Daragh Fanning (Pallasgreen)
28. Tom Condon (Knockaderry)
29. Declan Hannon (Adare)
30. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock)
31. Nickie Quaid (Effin)
32. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
33. Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher)
34. Barry Nash (South Liberties)
35. Gearoid Hegarty (St Patrick’s)
36. Andrew La Touche Cosgrave (Monaleen)
37. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)
38. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon)

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