Your Wednesday Limerick sports update

Hurling, boxing, soccer, rugby and golf. They all feature in the main sports news in Limerick today.

Hurling - Limerick U-21 team named

The starting 15 has been named for Limerick’s crunch clash with Tipperary this Thursday. Manager John Kiely has picked senior footballer Gearoid Hegarty in the half back line along with captain Diarmaid Byrnes and Barry O’Connell. Cian Lynch is the only member of the starting lineup from the senior hurling panel.

Boxing - Lee predicts war ahead of Saunders showdown

Limerick’s middleweight world champion Andy Lee expects his fight with Billy Joe Saunders on September 19 to be something akin to a war. Speaking at yesterday’s press conference at Thomond Park, Lee said: “This will be warfare. This isn’t tiddlywinks, we will both be trying to take each other’s heads off when that bell rings.” Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and various other outlets.

Soccer - Limerick FC draw with MK Dons

Substitute Dean Clarke’s 87th minute goal earned {{http://www.limerickleader.ie/sport/limerick-sport/limerick-fc-strike-late-to-hold-mk-dons-1-6850114|Limerick FC a deserved draw against English Championship side MK Dons|}. Limerick manager Martin Russell used the game to give recent signing, Bermuda international goalkeeper Freddy Hall his first game. The blues also had another new face at centre half with Patrick Kanyuka playing an impressive 60 minutes.

Rugby - O’Connell on his move to Toulon

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has revealed the process that saw him move from Munster to Toulon. O’Connell had initially turned down a move to the French giants but changed his mind, admitting that ‘a small bit of regret snuck in’. Speaking on the move O’Connell said: “It’s an opportunity for me to do something different. It’s a great opportunity for me from a rugby, and from a lifestyle point of view.”

FURTHER AFIELD...

Soccer - Duff signs for Shamrock Rovers

Former Irish international Damien Duff has signed for Shamrock Rovers on an 18 month deal. Duff had last played for Australian side Melbourne City. The 101 capped winger told Shamrock Rovers website that he was ‘very excited’ to have signed and he could not wait to get started.

Golf - Open Championship starts tomorrow

Jordan Spieth is unsurprisingly the favourite going into the Open Championship which starts at St Andrews tomorrow. Current US Open and Masters champion Spieth has been paired with Dustin Johnson and Hideki Matsuyama. The Irish challenge will come from Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and amateur Paul Dunne.

ON TV TODAY

12.45pm: Cycling - Tour de France, TG4, Eurosport

7.15pm: GAA - Munster U-21 Hurling Semi Final (Clare v Waterford) TG4

11pm: Soccer - Gold Cup, Cuba v Guatemala, BTSport1