Limerick senior hurlers wait on final four line-up

THIS Saturday afternoon, Limerick's opponents in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final will be confirmed.

Limerick can face either Wexford, Cork or Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final. This Saturday, Cork take on Dublin at 1:15pm, while Clare meet Wexford at 3:15pm. Both games take place in FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles as part of a double header.

The Shannonsiders cannot face Clare in the last four as repeat pairings from the provincial finals are avoided.

If Dublin beat Cork, Limerick will face the Dubs in the All-Ireland semi-final, While a Cork and Wexford win would mean the Munster champions would meet Wexford for the first time this year. A Clare and Cork win would mean Limerick would face Cork for the second time this year.

John Kiely's side look to have a number of players returning from injury. Richie English and Darragh O'Donovan were part of the 26 man panel for the first time this year in the Munster final. Kiely spoke after the Munster final and said that Sean Finn and Seamus Flanagan were progressing well from their respective injuries.

Flanagan missed the Munster final with a hamstring injury.

"I was just saying to the lads, it is harder to get back for Munster. Games coming thick and fast. I'm back on the pitch now. Please god, back hurling soon," the Feohanagh-Castlemahon clubman said at the launch of the All-Ireland senior hurling championship series at Michael Cusack Centre in Carran, Clare.

The Limerick attacker limped off with a hamstring injury against Waterford in the final fixture of the Munster SHC round-robin series.

"I made a dart left. I'd made five or six runs before that. I felt warmed up. I landed with my left leg and felt something go. It wasn't a full tear. A grade 2 tear and it was downgraded to a grade 1. Should be good to go in the next week or two," he said.

Apart from the long-term injury to Peter Casey, Limerick should have every other player available in Croke Park on July 7.

The second week in July looks to be a weekend for hurling fans to relish with Limerick's All-Ireland taking place on July 7 at Croke Park. A day earlier Kilkenny will take on Clare, Wexford or Cork on July 6 at the same venue.

Kilkenny and Limerick have been rewarded with a place in the All-Ireland semi-final after both teams won the Leinster and Munster SHC titles.

The reigning All-Ireland champions created history against Clare by becoming the first team in Munster to win six provincial titles in-a-row.

Kiely's side are now two games away from creating more history where they will aim to become the first hurling team to win five Liam MacCarthy's in-a-row.

This team will have a massive challenge in the All-Ireland semi-final in order to reach their sixth All-Ireland final in seven years. Fans will be excited for Limerick's return to GAA headquarters, with the reigning All-Ireland champions producing their best performances when they get to Croke Park.