The experts' view ahead of Limerick's crunch Munster SHC clash with Waterford

CAOIMHE Costello, Niall Moran, Paul Shaughnessy, Seamus Hickey and TJ Ryan give their thoughts ahead of Limerick's vital clash against Waterford in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday May 26 at 4pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. 

Caoimhe Costello (Limerick camogie player)

CAN LIMERICK REACT AGAINST WATERFORD?

I was thinking about the match at the weekend when I was down in Cork. In typical Limerick fashion, they managed to reel Cork in with 15 minutes to go. Cork just stayed in the fight. I think there'll be a huge bounce from Limerick.

ARE THE INJURIES A CONCERN?

If you look from maybe the outside, you might think it is. We've seen over the last couple of years you would think that Cian Lynch couldn't be replaced from the team or Declan Hannon last year. It's a testament to them. It's just next man up. I don't think Limerick think like that.

WILL JOHN KIELY MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE LIMERICK STARTING XV?

I can't imagine there'll be too many changes because Limerick were exceptional at times in that second half against Cork. Obviously they'll have to wait on the health of Sean Finn, but other than that I'd say it will be all guns blazing for Waterford.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

It's the million dollar question isn't it. I would say Limerick, Clare and Cork.

CAN LIMERICK WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

Yes. They're a very hungry group and they haven't been found wanting in the last couple of years. If things fall right and they qualify for that Munster final, I believe that they're more than capable. If they're in that Munster final, they'll be in it to win it and to hold on to that honour and make it six Munster titles in-a-row which would be a phenomenal achievement.

Niall Moran (Ex-Limerick hurler)

CAN LIMERICK REACT AGAINST WATERFORD?

I would think that there would be a very positive reaction. I felt that Limerick performed very well for a large part of the second half against Cork. There were positives coming out of Pairc Ui Caoimh. I also think that it is definitely the do-or-die that it will bring out the best in Limerick.

ARE THE INJURIES A CONCERN?

I suppose in terms of the shorter-term picture maybe not as much. In the sense that, with hopefully someone like Mike Casey returning, you'd hope that for the Waterford game we'd still have enough in the tank. You'd be concerned if you had any further injuries because it's very hard to replace All-Ireland winners and All-Stars.

WILL JOHN KIELY MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE LIMERICK STARTING XV?

You could argue, Limerick were targeted in certain places the last day. I think John trusts his squad and the squad trusts him. Unless it's injury enforced I still think we'll see something of a similar starting XV. In reality, it's all about Sunday.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

I would still say Limerick, Clare and Cork.

CAN LIMERICK WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

I definitely think that Limerick are well capable of winning a Munster Championship. Although, if I was given the choice between winning an All-Ireland or a Munster championship, given the achievement it would represent, I'd sacrifice the Munster Championship.

Paul Shaughnessy (Leader Sport Reporter)

CAN LIMERICK REACT AGAINST WATERFORD?

I expect a big reaction from Limerick on Sunday. Limerick will be targeting a good start given they have been chasing the games in Ennis and Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The group will be going all out to win in order to secure their place into the Munster final.

ARE THE INJURIES A CONCERN?

I think the injury to Sean Finn will be a concern given he has just recovered from a cruciate injury. John Kiely will be hoping Mike Casey and Darragh O'Donovan can be right for the Waterford game.

WILL JOHN KIELY MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE LIMERICK STARTING XV?

There is a definitely an argument to make one or two changes to freshen things up. If the injuries continue in the full-back line Fergal O'Connor could make his first start for Limerick in the Munster championship and given the impacts Adam English has made this year he could make his first start of the year in the Munster championship.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

Obviously, there are a lot of permutations heading into the final round of the Munster senior hurling championship. I find it hard to see anything other than victories for Clare and Limerick at the weekend which will see Cork finish third. I think the manner of Waterford's defeat to Clare will take a lot out of them and the Deise will narrowly miss out on getting out of Munster.

CAN LIMERICK WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

I expect Limerick to beat Waterford on Sunday and a victory in the TUS Gaelic Grounds will see them advance into the Munster final. A victory will give them huge momentum and I can see them winning six Munster titles in-a-row which would be a remarkable achievement.

Seamus Hickey (GAAGO pundit)

CAN LIMERICK REACT AGAINST WATERFORD?

From my perspective, it's not even a reaction. It's more continuing the good stuff that they are doing. The Munster championship has been enthralling. I think Limerick have brought a really high performance level. I don't think their plan has been altered at all by the loss to Cork. They're going to go and give it their best shot with a place in the Munster final at stake.

ARE THE INJURIES A CONCERN?

The injuries weren't a concern for me up until Sean Finn's injury. Their full-back line has more to deal with and more to absorb than any other line. The full-back line is a bit of a concern for me. It's great news that Richie English has played for his club and I do believe that Fergal O'Connor is a super player and that he will continue to get better. It is a pity when you're losing the calibre of guys that we are losing in the full-back line.

WILL JOHN KIELY MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE LIMERICK STARTING XV?

I'd be interested to see how he's going to deploy the half-forward line and midfield. I'm expecting something different there, whether it's a new midfield partnership. You have Adam English playing extremely well and Darragh O'Donovan is in the mix. And obviously a change at corner back.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

I see Clare coming out and I see Limerick beating Waterford for another Limerick and Clare Munster final. If those results fall that way, Cork go through which would be amazing considering the start to the championship they had.

CAN LIMERICK WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

They definitely can win the Munster title this year. The only loss that they've had in the Munster championship was against a team that produced their best performance in five years. I still think that Limerick on form are producing the goods with room to improve. They can win Munster, but like everything in Munster it will be hard earned.

TJ Ryan (Ex-Limerick manager)

CAN LIMERICK REACT AGAINST WATERFORD?

I thought Limerick played very well for a portion of the game against Cork. They had some incredible performances in that second half. It was a disappointing finish, but they'll just want to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

ARE THE INJURIES A CONCERN?

Of course, they are. Limerick have had a very settled team for the last number of years. When you go deep into the squad, and lose two players in the full-back line. It's obviously a testament to the squad and it's always good for the younger players to get some gametime. If they can get Darragh O'Donovan and Mike Casey back on the pitch, it'll definitely be a help.

WILL JOHN KIELY MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE LIMERICK STARTING XV?

To be fair to the guys, John and his backroom team have been very loyal and it's been working really well for the last number of years. I don't see too many changes.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

I still think that Limerick are in poll position in terms of their home game against Waterford where a win would put them in a great position. Clare have put themselves in a great position in with a great chance of being in the top two in Munster. And I think Cork will finish third.

CAN LIMERICK WIN THE MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?

I do. Limerick won their first two games. It was always going to be difficult because everyone was going to up their game against Limerick. If we were told at the start of the season, in the last game we've got to go and beat Waterford at home and you'd be in a Munster final, I think we've had all taken that. It's not going to be easy, but it's a good position to be in.