Limerick senior hurlers prepare for League opener

THE LIMERICK senior hurlers are continuing their preparations ahead of the start of thr Allianz National Hurling League. Limerick play Waterford in their final challenge game before the start of the National Hurling League on Sunday at 1:30pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The National Hurling league gets underway this weekend but John Kiely's side have a bye in the seven-team Division 1A of the league.Galway face Tipperary, Kilkenny take on Clare, while Cork meet Kilkenny in the three games in Division 1A .

The Shannonsiders will open their Allianz League campaign against Cork on February 1 at 7:30pm in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Three of the Limerick senior hurlers Allianz National Hurling League games will be shown on TG4. 

Limerick's round three clash with Tipperary on February 9 at 3:45pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds will be televised on TG4. In round five, Limerick meet Clare in a local derby on March 2 at 3:45pm in the Ennis Road venue which will also be shown on TG4.

TG4 will also broadcast the round six clash between Galway and Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on March 8 at 7:30pm.

John Kiely's side will play four of their National league games at home this year. Limerick had no home fixtures last year due to the redevelopment of the playing surface at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The seven-team Division 1A of the National Hurling League includes Limerick, Galway, Clare, Tipperary, Cork, Kilkenny and Wexford. 

Each team gets a minimum of six games and the team that finishes in first and second places compete in the Division One hurling league final.

The teams that finish sixth and seventh will be relegated to Division 1B, while first and second-placed teams from Division 1B will be promoted into Division 1A.

Limerick have played challenge matches against both Antrim and Dublin in January.Ten players who were involved in Limerick's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Cork last summer have played in those matches.

The younger players and players who have impressed in the club championship have seen gametime for Limerick.

Eleven members of Kiely's panel featured in Fitzgibbon Cup action in recent weeks. Colin Coughlan, Evan O'Leary Adam English, Patrick O'Donovan and Aidan O'Connor have all seen gametime for in the University of Limerick's victories over SETU Waterford and ATU Waterford. 

Meanwhile, Shane O'Brien, Vince Harrington, Cian Scully, Oisin O'Farrell and William Dore were part of the Mary Immaculate College team that narrowly defeated ATU Galway and SETU Waterford. 

Mary I face UL on Wednesday at 2pm in round three of the Fitzgibbon Cup at the MICL grounds. Both sides have progressed into the knockout stages. The winner of this will advance directly into the semi-finals of the Fitzgibbon Cup. 

Doon's Eddie Stokes lined out at wing forward in UCC's victories over UCD and the Univeristy of Galway. 

Cathal O'Neill has missed the University of Limerick's Fitzgibbon Cup. O'Neill picked up a hamstring injury in UL's league final victory over DCU before Christmas.