Limerick U20 hurling team named for championship opener against Clare

THE Limerick team has been named for Friday's Munster U20 Hurling Championship clash with Clare.

The April 5 tie has a 7pm start in Sixmilebridge.

It's a Limerick team, managed by Evan Loftus, with selectors Alan Kelly, Stephen Walsh and Tony Power, and captained by Cian Scully.

Seven of the starting team played during last year's provincial U20 championship - Scully, David Fitzgerald, Joseph Fitzgerald, Fintan Fitzgerald, Shane O'Brien, Con Hayes and Oisin O'Farrell.

Four of the line-up are elevated into the U20 ranks after playing county minor (U17) last year - Matthew Fitzgerald, Robert O’Farrell, Dara Ferland and Hugh Flanagan.

Three of the team played with John Kiely's senior side during the Allianz League - Shane O'Brien, Joseph Fitzgerald and Darragh Langan.

Limerick will also have games against Tipperary, Cork and Waterford - the top team in the group progresses to the provincial final with those in second and third meeting in a semi-final.

LIMERICK: Pierce Connery (Kilmallock); Mikey Fitzgibbon (Cappamore), Darragh Langan (Monaleen), Joseph Fitzgerald (Monaleen); David Fitzgerald (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Cian Scully (Dromin-Athlacca); Wayne Kearns (Na Piarsaigh), Con Hayes (Newcastle West); Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret St Pauls), Dara Ferland (Monaleen); Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane), Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), Oisin O’Farrell (Askeaton-Kilcornan Desmonds). Subs: Fionn O’Brien (Bruree), Tadgh Boddy (Bruff), Sean Casey (Bruff), Donal Coughlan (Doon), Liam Dennehy (Glenroe), Jack Fitzgibbon (Dromin-Athlacca), Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), Mark O’Riordan (Castletown-Ballyagran), Daniel Scully (Dromin-Athlacca).