Limerick team named to face Clare in Allianz Hurling League

JOHN Kiely has named his Limerick senior hurling team to take on Clare this Sunday in round five of the Allianz Hurling League. 

The action gets underway this Sunday in the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 3:45pm. Mike Casey, Barry Nash, and Cathal O'Neill are set to make their first appearances of 2025. 

Kiely has made two changes from the Limerick team that were due to face Kilkenny last weekend with goalkeeper Jason Gillane replacing Shane Dowling on the Limerick starting XV. Newcastle West clubman Ethan Hurley makes his first start for Limerick in 2025. 

Barry Murphy partners Casey and Nash in the full back line. Ethan Hurley joins Colin Coughlan and Diarmaid Byrnes in the half back line. 

Limerick captain Cian Lynch and Adam English start in midfield together for the second game in a row. Cathal O'Neill made his return from injury in the Fitzgibbon Cup final and the young hurler of the year nominee makes up the half forward line alongside Eddie Stokes and David Reidy. 

Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan and Shane O'Brien complete the Limerick full forward line. Meanwhile, Peter Casey and Tom Morrissey are welcome additions to the bench.

Sean Finn, William O'Donoghue, Kyle Hayes and Gearoid Hegarty miss this Sunday's clash through injury. Doon's Darragh O'Donovan is yet to feature for the Munster champions this year.

Declan Hannon and Dan Morrissey are not included in the Limerick squad to face Clare on Sunday. 

Last Sunday's scheduled clash between Limerick and Kilkenny in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League was called off due to an unplayable pitch at UPMC Nowlan Park caused by the recent heavy rain. Limerick's round four fixture against Kilkenny has now been rescheduled for Saturday March 15 at 3:30pm in UPMC Nowlan Park. 

John Kiely's side will now be in action over the next four weekends in Division 1A.

LIMERICK: Jason Gillane (Patrickswell); Barry Murphy (Doon), Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Barry Nash (South Liberties); Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Ethan Hurley (Newcastle West), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown); Adam English (Doon), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell); Eddie Stokes (Doon), David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca), Cathal O'Neill (Crecora Manister); Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Shane O'Brien (Kilmallock), Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh Castlemahon).

SUBS: Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), Michael Houlihan (Kilmallock), Dylan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh), Tom Morrissey (Ahane), Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown), Fergal O'Connor (Effin), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen),  Patrick O'Donovan (Effin), Cian Scully (Dromin/Athlacca).