Picking the Limerick starting XV to face Tipperary in Munster Hurling Championship

LEADER Sport's Paul Shaughnessy picks his Limerick starting XV to take on Tipperary in their Munster SHC opener. 

LIMERICK senior hurling manager John Kiely will have some tough decisions to make when it comes to picking his starting XV to face Tipperary in their Munster championship opener.

Former captain Declan Hannon missed all of Limerick's league campaign through injury. Meanwhile, Dan Morrissey, Barry Murphy, Kyle Hayes, William O'Donoghue and Peter Casey missed the final league game against Wexford through injury. Kiely has revealed that all five players have returned from injury. Doon's Darragh O'Donovan made his first start for Limerick since the 2023 All-Ireland final in the Wexford league game.

John Kiely now looks to get the balance between youth and experience right for their championship opener.

1. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
SHANE Dowling seems to be in pole position to wear the Limerick number one jersey this year. The Na Piarsaigh shotstopper started four of Limerick's Allianz Hurling games. Dowling seems to be ahead of Jason Gillane at the moment.

2. Barry Murphy (Doon)
BARRY Murphy has been one of Limerick's standout performers throughout the Allianz Hurling League. Murphy has built on his impressive club campaign with Doon. Murphy's performances makes him a strong fancy to be selected for the championship opener. 

3. Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
OVER the last few years, Dan Morrissey has been one of Limerick's most consistent performers. Morrissey is rock solid at the back and the Limerick full back will bring stability to the defence.

4. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
IT WAS a frustrating league campaign for Casey where he was forced off through injury against Galway and Wexford. Casey will look to put those injuries behind him.The Na Piarsaigh defender has been a vital part of the Limerick defence.

5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
Diarmaid Byrnes’ long-range frees will be crucial for Limerick. Byrnes has stepped up with key scores in the past and the Patrickswell's clubman brings a physical pressence to the Shannonsiders half back line.

6. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
Kyle Hayes looks destined to wear the number six jersey this year. The 2024 All-Star defender will look to put attackers on the backfoot during the Munster SHC. Declan Hannon hasn't played a compettitve game this year, you would expect Hayes to play at number six.

7. Barry Nash (South Liberties)
Barry Nash's versatility could see the South Liberties man make the move into the half back line. Nash's use of the ball will provide Limerick with a huge platform going forward.

8. Adam English (Doon)
Adam English has brought an energy and a freshness to the Limerick middle third. English's blistering pace will allow the Limerick midfielder to get on the ball from deep to create scoring opportunities.

9. William O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)
William O'Donoghue brings a huge amount of phsyicality in the middle third. O'Donoghue's work-rate has been through the roof over the last few years.

10. Gearoid Hegarty (St Patrick's)
2020 hurler of the year Gearoid Hegarty has been ever present in the Limerick starting XV. Hegarty is an aerial threat along with stepping up with key scores which makes Hegarty a constant threat for defenders.

11. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
Newly appointed Limerick captain Cian Lynch's best position at this stage seems to be the number 11 channel. Lynch is given the freedom of drifting between the number 11 channel and midfield.

12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
Morrissey has excellent at drifting into pockets to get on the ball. The Ahane forward also gets through a huge amount of work in the half forward line.

13. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
Aaron Gillane's accuracy in front of goals will be vital to Limerick's chances of getting back to an All-Ireland final. Gillane has shown a ruthlessness in front of goal over the last few years.

14. Shane O'Brien (Kilmallock)
Shane O'Brien has built on his performance from last year's performance. O'Brien impressed throughout the Allianz Hurling League and Kilmallock looks destined to start in the championship.

15. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)
Limerick have always had a corner forward who has drifted out the pitch. I would expect David Reidy to play that role even when Cian Lynch drops deep, Reidy will move into the number 11 channel to link the play together.

Possible Substitutes:
Sean Finn, Cathal O'Neill, Declan Hannon, Colin Coughlan, Darragh O'Donovan, Aidan O'Connor, Seamus Flanagan and Peter Casey are all players who could easily be named on the starting XV.