The experts' view ahead of Limerick's National Hurling League clash against Cork

LEO O'Connor, James Ryan, Paul Shaughnessy, Seanie McGrath and Seoirse Bulfin give their predictions ahead of the Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A clash between Limerick and Cork.

Leo O'Connor (Offaly U20 hurling manager)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?
“I EXPECT it to be all guns blazing to be quite honest. Cork find themselves in a very good position after beating Wexford. They've introduced Padraig Power and he's one that we will need to keep an eye on. It depends on what team Limerick pick as well. It's important that Limerick get off to a good start as well, start building confidence and especially against Cork.”

WHO WILL START IN GOALS FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?
IT'S A tough call, at the moment it would be Jason Gillane. It's a tough call going to Pairc Ui Chaomh with a goalkeeper that is going to be playing behind the defence for the first time in the National Hurling League. Just maybe the fact that Jason has played a lot of hurling, but I wouldn't be one bit surprised if they played Shane (Dowling) because of Shane's experience out the field.

WILL SOME OF THE YOUNGER PLAYERS SEE GAMETIME FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?
JOHN Kiely has to find three or four new players this year. There's players now that have a lot of miles on the clock and he's got to find new players that will bring a freshness to the thing. I expect him to try introduce a few new players.

WILL SOME OF THE LIMERICK EXPERIENCED PLAYERS PLAY IN NEW POSITIONS THIS YEAR?
I WOULDN'T be surprised if Declan Hannon played in the forwards this year. That's where he started out with Limerick. I still wouldn't rule Declan out at playing centre half-back either because Limerick stick to their system. It'll depend on how players adjust to that. There's still guys there who are after getting a break last year and there'll be an energy and freshness to them.

WHAT IS LIMERICK'S TARGET IN THE NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE?
AS I said already, it's going to be vital that Limerick find three or four new players to bring along. You've got to find guys that are going to be able to step up. It's an important occasion for Limerick to step up and bring that energy back to where they've been in the past on Saturday night.

James Ryan (Former Limerick hurler)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

“I'M EXPECTING a good game of hurling first of all. Over the last couple of years, they've always given us a good spectacle. I think bragging rights is a big thing coming in this game at the weekend. Both teams, if they have all their players on the pitch, will be contenders for the All-Ireland and Munster championships. Limerick will want to win this to lay down an early marker.

WHO WILL START IN GOALS FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?

VERY interesting, the big talk going around Limerick is that they gave both goalies a half each against Waterford. If I was take a guess, I think Jason Gillane, given the fact that he's younger and the fact he might be further down the line. Shane (Dowling) was a couple of years out and only went back for Na Piarsaigh, that's why I think Jason could be the goalkeeper.

WILL SOME OF THE YOUNGER PLAYERS SEE GAMETIME FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?

JOHN Kiely, along with every other manager in the country, has no other choice. There's very few opportunities now. I do expect to see a few new faces. Limerick in the last few years have really shaken things up with the league teams. Adam English, Shane O'Brien, Fergal O'Connor and Aidan O'Connor are players who have come on a lot but they haven't consistently broken onto the starting XV yet.

WILL SOME OF THE LIMERICK EXPERIENCED PLAYERS PLAY IN NEW POSITIONS THIS YEAR?

I DON'T see Limerick shaking it up too much. I'm not saying we don't have backs, but we have an awful lot of forwards. The only big change we could see with Limerick is converting forwards into backs as we seen with Kyle Hayes. Cathal O'Neill played in the half-back line last year during the league and we could see him there this year.

WHAT IS LIMERICK'S TARGET IN THE NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE?

THE last two or three years, I can't say Limerick have gone all out to win the league. It's a very compact season. Limerick will do what they've done the last two or three years, play seven or eight starters and try out a lot of new lads. I think they'll just play what's in front of them and if they are in contention to reach the league final, then they'll start playing more of their Championship XV.

Paul Shaughnessy (Leader Reporter)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

EVERY time these two teams meet they bring out the best in each other. I expect Saturday night to be no different. Limerick will be keen to get their National Hurling League campaign off to a winning start after losing to Cork two times last year. Cork will look to make it two wins from two after the Rebels defeated Wexford last weekend.

WHO WILL START IN GOALS FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?

IT WILL be interesting to see who lines out in goals for Limerick this weekend. The loss of Nickie Quaid will be a major loss. John Kiely played Jason Gillane and Shane Dowling in the first and second half of their challenge game against Waterford last weekend. I would expect Jason Gillane to line out in goals this weekend. Gillane has been the goalkeeper that's been on the panel for the longest amount of time, although, Dowling, of course, was previously involved as an attacker with the squad. 

WILL SOME OF THE YOUNGER PLAYERS SEE GAMETIME FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?

Kiely rested some of the players involved with Mary I and UL in the Fitzgibbon Cup during the week. Adam English, Aidan O'Connor and Shane O'Brien  all start on Saturday night and all three players will be looking to make the breakthrough this year. Ethan Hurley and Eddie Stokes could see gametime on the back of impressive club campaigns.

WILL SOME OF THE LIMERICK EXPERIENCED PLAYERS PLAY IN NEW POSITIONS THIS YEAR?

JOHN Kiely could decide to move some of the more experienced players around this year to bring a freshness to it. After an impressive club campaign for Adare, Declan Hannon could line out in attack. I would expect newly appointed captain Cian Lynch to play his hurling in midfield and we could see Kyle Hayes or William O'Donoghue in the number six role.

WHAT IS LIMERICK'S TARGET IN THE NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE?

THE first aim will be to secure their Division 1A status. Limerick will want to start Saturday night with a win. After last year ended in disappointment, I think Limerick will go after winning the League and show the rest of the country why they are a force to be reckoned with this year.

Seanie McGrath (Former Cork hurler)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

I WOULD be expecting a massive game this Saturday evening. I would expect Cork to be picking their strongest team and the same I would say for John Kiely and Limerick. I imagine for both managers they will want to win this after what happened last year for two reasons. Number one to set out their stall and number two to get points on the board. I would expect a titanic battle.

WHO WILL START IN GOALS FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?

I HAVE seen a lot of Jason Gillane in the club championships. Certainly from a puck-out perspective, he looks razor sharp. Obviously Nickie Quaid is a massive loss. From what I've seen of the other two goalkeepers, I just wonder is Jason Gillane ahead of them. If I was to call it, I would say Gillane.

WILL SOME OF THE YOUNGER PLAYERS SEE GAMETIME FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?

SHANE O'Brien was outstanding last year in the Munster final and Adam English was excellent in the club championship for Doon. It wouldn't surprise to see them start and I think these players are the future for Limerick. These fellas have played in Munster championship games and they're well accustomed to it.

WILL SOME OF THE LIMERICK EXPERIENCED PLAYERS PLAY IN NEW POSITIONS THIS YEAR?

POSSIBLY, Cathal O'Neill's positioning on the field will be an interesting one. He can play anywhere, he reminds me of Ken McGrath.John Kiely will look at playing more players throughout the League to give themselves more cover for later in the year. I think that is the policy Kiely will adapt this year.

WHAT IS LIMERICK'S TARGET IN THE NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE?

I WOULDN'T be surprised if Limerick go out to win the League. I actually predicted that it will be a Cork-Limerick Legaue final. Cork will be targetting a league title because they haven't won it in a such long time. I never see it as a negative going out to win the league. Limerick will be hurting from last year, it wouldn't surprise me at all if John Kiely goes out fully intent on winning the league. 

Seoirse Bulfin (Westmeath senior hurling manager)

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND CORK?

I'M EXPECTING a humdinger of a game, it might be the start of February, but I'm expecting a really competitive game. Any time you play in Cork, there's always a good bit of bite and intensity in it. I'm expecting a decent game.

WHO WILL START IN GOALS FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?

THE talk going back out of the early season challenge matches that all the goalkeepers have gotten equal gametime. Shane Dowling seems to have gotten a good bit of gametime and he might just get the nod, but whoever replaces Nickie Quaid has big shoes to fill. You've three very capable guys in Jason, Shane and Conor.

WILL SOME OF THE YOUNGER PLAYERS SEE GAMETIME FOR LIMERICK THIS YEAR?

I WOULD expect John Kiely to rotate guys a little bit. The League is very competitive in Division 1A this year. The likes of Aidan O'Connor, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Patrick O'Donovan and Sean Casey it's time for some of these lads to get a bit more gametime and see how they go.

WILL SOME OF THE LIMERICK EXPERIENCED PLAYERS PLAY IN NEW POSITIONS THIS YEAR?

THE big question is mainly with Declan Hannon stepping back from his captaincy role that maybe they are looking at something different there. It's hard to know, I'd say there won't be massive changes when it comes to positions.

WHAT IS LIMERICK'S TARGET IN THE NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE?

I WOULD imagine, the first thing is probably to retain their status. I don't think it's that important for Limerick to win a league. Their main target is probably to unearth a couple of these younger guys and see can they be brought up to speed. The nature of the league and the championship and the quick turnaround in games, they will need to unearth a couple of guys that will be able to step into the breach come summer time.