Limerick make seven changes for Clare Allianz Hurling League clash

LIMERICK manager John Kiely has made seven changes to his team for their Allianz Hurling League game with Clare at the TUS Gaelic Grounds. 

Cian Lynch starts for Limerick for the first time since getting injured in the Munster SHC against Waterford last April, while Peter Casey also returns. He hasn't began a game for Limerick since the 2021 All-Ireland Final. Lynch will captain the side from centre-forward.

Elsewhere, Effin's Fergal O'Connor, Kilmallock's Micheál Houlihan and club teammate Shane O'Brien make their first league starts. Kyle Hayes is also set to start his first game of 2023, interestingly selected at left-half-back.

Nickie Quaid is also back in the team behind a full-back line of Sean Finn, Richie English and O'Connor. Dan Morrissey moves to centre-back due to Declan Hannon's hand injury, and is flanked by Colin Coughlan and Hayes.

Darragh O'Donovan is named alongside David Reidy in midfield, while the half-forward line sees Lynch at centre-forward, with Gearoid Hegarty and Houlihan named on either wing. O'Brien, Seamus Flanagan and Casey make up the full-forward line.

Limerick's game with Clare in the Allianz Hurling League at the TUS Gaelic Grounds has a 7pm throw-in on Saturday and is live on RTÉ.

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid (Effin); Sean Finn (Bruff), Richie English (Doon), Fergal O'Connor (Effin), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), Dan Morrissey (Ahane), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry); Darragh O’Donovan (Doon), David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca); Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell), Micheál Houlihan (Kilmallock); Shane O'Brien (Kilmallock), Seamus Flanagan (Feoghanagh-Castlemahon), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh).

Subs: David McCarthy (Glenore), Ciaran Barry (Ahane), Ronan Connolly (Adare), Aaron Costello (Kilmallock), Adam English (Doon), Tom Morrissey (Ahane), Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock), Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen), Oisin O'Reilly (Kilmallock), Jimmy Quilty (Blackrock).