NINE OF LIMERICK’S starting team from the 2020 All-Ireland final are named to face Tipperary in their mouth-watering Division 1A National Hurling League opener on Saturday.
John Kiely’s men welcome the Premier County to LIT Gaelic Grounds [throw-in 5.30pm, live on RTÉ 2] to kick off their league title defence with a battle of the 2020 and 2019 All-Ireland champions.
Nicky Quaid, Sean Finn, Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Barry Nash, William O’Donoghue, Darragh O’Donovan, Tom Morrissey and Seamus Flanagan are the survivors from December’s national decider success over Waterford in Croke Park.
Aaron Costello, Richie English, David Reidy, Conor Boylan, Adrian Breen and David Dempsey are the players brought in. Reidy and Breen both came on in the final, while English returns from a cruciate injury.
William O’Donoghue captains the side, with All-Ireland winning skipper Declan Hannon absent from the matchday squad.
Limerick
1. Nicky Quaid (Effin)
2. Aaron Costello (Kilmallock)
3. Sean Finn (Bruff)
4. Richie English (Doon)
5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
6. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
7. Barry Nash (South Liberties)
8. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsiagh) Captain
9. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
10. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
11. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)
12. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
13. Adrian Breen (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon)
15. David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
Subs:
16. Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock)
17. Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
18. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
19. Ronan Connolly (Adare)
20. Josh Considine (Patrickswell)
21. Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s)
22. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
23. Darren O’Connell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
24. Brian O’Grady (Kilteely/Dromkeen)
25. Mark Quinlan (Garryspillane)
26. Brian Ryan (South Liberties).
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Looking through that team and subs just strengthens my view that nobody will stop Limerick this year. Incredibly strong panel. There’ll be no slip ups like against Kilkenny in 2019. Liam McCarthy 2021 is a done deal.
@Johnny B: shut yur mouth. Liam Mccarthy 2021 is a done deal me h0le! Galway, Tipp, Waterford, Kilkenny will have a say about that. When Limerick are on form, they are the best. But teams can have off days.
@Johnny B: Far from it… The cats & tipp are never far away. Galway are no bad side either
@Johnny B: Be tighter than people think I’d say. Hard to win Liam B2B, personally I think Limerick are heavy favourites too but Tipp, Galway, the Cats, and probably some surprise team will be there or there abouts too.
@Eoin Fitzgerald: jausus lad that’s very aggressive altogether. Relax there a little bit before you have a banger. Last time I checked I was entitled to an opinion.
@Johnny B: good man
@Johnny B: yes 100% everyone is entitled to their opinion but I didn’t agree with yours saying that Limerick already have Liam Mccarthy 2021 won. Just thought you were a bit over confident. No hard feelings. Good luck on Saturday.
@Eoin Fitzgerald: you can disagree without going bananas you know?!
Result is irrelevant whatever the outcome Saturday, main point is that the hurling is back! The championship will be along before we know it and every fan will back his/her team against anyone, Limerick are the target, every team has a chance. Great to see Ritchie English back in green too, mighty man.
@Now or Never: amen to that brother!
@Now or Never: Strong team for something that’s irrelevant
@Barry Dowling: result is irrelevant and not the game, my opinion! First game for 5 months, dont think expectations are high atm for any sides, good workout alright.
@Barry Dowling: can’t help it it’s a strong panel hope this clears it up.
Interesting to see O Donoghue as captain, if there are no injuries competition for places will be stiff. Great too be back though.
@Conor Houlihan: excellent choice as captain, big presence and very good talker. Will lead by example I think
@Hugh Dunne: I like what you did there Conor
@Mike Kennedy: *Hugh
@Mike Kennedy: completely accidental I can assure you Mike
Buzzing to see Kyle at centre back! For me it’s his best position having played with him and watching him play. Good luck to them at the weekend and the season ahead.
@Brian Timmons: Very commanding at CB for 21s & Minor. The obvious successor to Hannon for No 6 when he finishes, obviously that’s a few years off yet.
And yet you feel his attacking instincts are almost curtailed by not having him at 7.
Does anyone know when the Tipp team is being announced?
Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp Tipp
@Pearse Foley: The back of me bollox!!