Limerick senior hurling team announced for Munster final showdown with Cork

LIMERICK senior hurling manager John Kiely has made one change from his side that defeated Cork three weeks ago in the round-robin series for this weekend's Munster final showdown. 

Ballybrown clubman Aidan O'Connor will start his first game in the Championship for Limerick in the Munster SHC final on Saturday. O'Connor replaces Shane O'Brien on the edge of the square. 

Aaron Gillane, O'Connor and David Reidy make up the full forward line. Captain Cian Lynch is joined by Gearoid Hegarty and Tom Morrissey in the half forward line. 

Adam English and William O'Donoghue continue their partnership in midfield. 2024 All star Kyle Hayes, Diarmaid Byrnes and Barry Nash form a formidable half back line. 

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Cork’s full-forward line will face a tough challenge from Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, and Mike Casey and goalkeeper Nickie Quaid starts his fourth game of the Munster SHC.

Substitutes Shane O'Brien, Peter Casey, Seamus Flanagan, Darragh O'Donovan, Declan Hannon and Cathal O'Neill will aim to impacts off the bench on Saturday. 

The Limerick senior hurlers are chasing a remarkable seventh consecutive Munster Senior Hurling Championship title this Saturday evening.

Having made history last year as the first county in Munster to claim six provincial crowns in a row, the Shannonsiders now have the chance to further cement their status as the province’s greatest-ever side.

John Kiely’s side will welcome Cork to the TUS Gaelic Grounds for a blockbuster showdown, with throw-in set for 6pm. The Mick Mackey Cup was first presented in 2022 and is yet to leave Limerick and Cian Lynch and team-mates will be anxious to ensure the trophy in honour of the famed Castleconnell man resides on Shannonside for at least one more year.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid (Effin); Sean Finn (Bruff), Dan Morrissey (Ahane), Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh) ; Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Barry Nash (South Liberties); William O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh), Adam English (Doon); Gearoid Hegarty (St Patrick's), Cian Lynch (Captain, Patrickswell), Tom Morrissey (Ahane) ; Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown), David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)

Subs: Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Declan Hannon (Adare), Barry Murphy (Doon), Shane O'Brien (Kilmallock), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen), Darragh O'Donovan (Doon), Paddy O'Donovan (Effin), Cathal O'Neill (Crecora-Manister).