All you need to know about Limerick's National Hurling League opener against Cork

LIMERICK get their Division 1A Allianz National Hurling League campaign underway this Saturday night. The Shannonsiders face Cork tomorrow at 7:30pm in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 

After much debate this week about television coverage, the clash of the Munster hurling titans will will be available to viewers across multiple platforms, with TG4’s live coverage beginning on the TG4 Player and TG4 App from 7:25pm on Saturday night, ahead of throw-in at 7:30pm.

This exciting encounter will showcase two of hurling’s powerhouse counties as they battle it out under the lights in one of the standout fixtures of the Allianz Hurling League.

The Limerick Leader Sports department will be bringing viewers all the action, insight, and analysis from SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

X account: @LimkLeaderSport

Website: limerickleader.ie

Limerick have selected a team that includes just seven of the side that started against The Rebels in the side's epic All-Ireland SHC semi-final last July.

Debutante Jason Gillane gets the nod to start in goals in the absence of the long term injured Nickie Quaid. The returning Shane Dowling is named as sub-goalkeeper.

There are a number of familiar faces in the defence - however in switches Kyle Hayes starts at centre back and Barry Murphy is selected at corner back.

New vice-captain William O'Donoghue is joined in midfield by Adam English.

It's a youthful attack - new captain Cian Lynch and Gearoid Hegarty joined by Aidan O'Connor, Shane O'Brien, Patrick O'Donovan and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh.

As well as Shane Dowling, it's a Limerick subs bench that includes regulars Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan and David Reidy.

Among those not involved in the matchday squad are Nickie Quaid, Mike Casey, Barry Nash, Declan Hannon, Darragh O'Donovan, Tom Morrissey and Peter Casey. 

Cork have selected nine of the team that were involved in the Rebels victory over Limerick in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final last year. 

LIMERICK: Jason Gillane (Patrickswell); Sean Finn (Bruff), Dan Morrissey (Ahane), Barry Murphy (Doon); Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown); Adam English (Doon), William O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh); Gearoid Hegarty (St Patricks), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell), Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown); Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen), Shane O'Brien (Kilmallock), Patrick O'Donovan (Effin).

SUBS: Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), Micheal Houlihan (Kilmallock), Ethan Hurley (Newcastle West), Darragh Langan (Monaleen), Fergal O'Connor (Effin), David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca), Cian Scully (Dromin-Athlacca), Eddie Stokes (Doon).

CORK: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Ger Millerick, Eoin Roche; Ciarán Joyce, Robert Downey (Captain), Cormac O’Brien; Tim O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Ethan Twomey, Shane Kingston, Shane Barrett; Brian Hayes Pádraig Power, Alan Connolly

SUBS:  Brion Saunderson, Eoin Downey, Damien Cahalane, Mark Coleman, Micheál Mullins, Luke Meade, Brian Roche , Diarmuid Healy, Conor Lehane, Patrick Horgan, Robbie Cotter.