The experts' view ahead of Limerick's big Munster SHC clash with Tipperary on Sunday

TJ RYAN, Seoirse Bulfin, Paul Shaughnessy, Ken Hogan and Joe Quaid give their thoughts ahead of round two of the Munster senior hurling championship when Limerick host Tipperary at the TUS Gaelic Grounds this Sunday, 4pm.

TJ RYAN (Ex-Limerick manager)

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF LIMERICK'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST CLARE?

"In the end getting two points on the board is brilliant. It keeps us in a nice position in the group. To be fair to Limerick they found a way and they might have gotten a break, but they really kicked on from there. Their last quarter was really impressive.

AFTER ROUND ONE, WHO DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

I don't think were anymore enlightened in terms of the group. It's still very much all to play for. Beforehand I tipped Limerick, Cork and Tipperary to be the three teams and I'm not changing my mind just yet.

DO YOU SEE LIMERICK MAKING ANY CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING XV?

We don't have a gauge on injuries and how everyone has came out of the game. A seven-day turn around is difficult. I think John Kiely's use of the bench was really good. The performances of Conor Boylan and Adam English really contributed to the winning of the game.

Is AARON GILLANE THE BEST FORWARD IN THE COUNTRY?

He's certainly right up there. He hunted something that not a lot of forwards would do only the really high class ones when ‘Hego’ hit the ball and it came back off the post. He anticipated something like that, yes he got a break and it hit his body. He's right up there at the very top.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND TIPPERARY?

I would say based on the previous meeting in the championship, a really tough battle. I think Limerick's performance on Sunday won't be good enough. I think we will need to see the incremental improvements.

SEOIRSE BULFIN (Hurling coach)

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF LIMERICK'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST CLARE?

I suppose no different to most of the public, they were a little bit off colour. Their normal accuracy from distance let them down for the first three quarters of the game. Then just like that they flicked a switch, they hurled for 12 to 15 minutes and turned the whole game on it's head.

AFTER ROUND ONE, WHO DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

I actually had a feeling that there was going to be an upset in Munster. I'm going to say Limerick, Waterford and Tipperary to get out of Munster.

DO YOU SEE LIMERICK MAKING ANY CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING XV?

The big one I've been wondering about is Adam English because every time he comes on he seems to make an impact. He always looks very sharp. I think it will very close to the same starting XV.

Is AARON GILLANE THE BEST FORWARD IN THE COUNTRY?

You find it difficult to argue for anyone else at the moment. He was Hurler of the Year last year and he's been the stand-out forward for the last 12 months. For me, if you're picking one forward at the moment, it's very hard to look past Aaron Gillane.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND TIPPERARY?

There's a couple of things, I think Limerick and Tipp are huge derby matches. Jake Morris and Geraoid O'Connor will take serious watching. I expect Limerick to win, but I think Tipp will come with a fierce intensity.

PAUL SHAUGHNESSY (Limerick Leader Sport)

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF LIMERICK'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST CLARE?

In the first half Limerick were creating chances but their accuracy in front of goal let them down. Their last quarter was really impressive where Limerick outscored Clare 3-06 - 0-03 and the performances of Gearoid Hegarty and Aaron Gillane stood out. 

AFTER ROUND ONE, WHO DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

It's still so difficult to call after last week's result, I expect Limerick to reach the Munster final and I think Waterford and Tipperary will get out of Munster. I think Clare and Cork needed good starts to their championship campaigns and they didn't get that.

DO YOU SEE LIMERICK MAKING ANY CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING XV?

Given Mikey Casey's injury, I expect Sean Finn to come in for him at corner back along with Conor Boylan. After Boylan's performance I don't think you can leave him out.

Is AARON GILLANE THE BEST FORWARD IN THE COUNTRY?

For me, yes. Even the last day when he wasn't getting the service, he stuck at it. I don't think there's a forward in the country who can have such an influence in one game. Gillane can win ball anyway, high or low.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND TIPPERARY?

Another close game. Tipperary need to bring a performance, they've been too inconsistent this year, while Limerick's conversion rate needs to better.

KEN HOGAN (Ex-Tipperary goalkeeper)

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF LIMERICK'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST CLARE?

Limerick themselves would admit that their first half performance wasn't up to scratch. From Limerick's point of view they probably felt they weren't as sharp as they usually are.

AFTER ROUND ONE, WHO DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

That's a difficult one. I think Waterford are in a very good position having won their first game and they're waiting now. Clare and Cork is going to be a huge game. Tipp are obviously a unknown quantity. Munster is a total minefield and you just don't know what's going to happen.

DO YOU SEE LIMERICK MAKING ANY CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING XV?

Without a shadow of a doubt, I think John Kiely will probably make a few changes. I think Conor Boylan and Adam English made huge impacts on the game. Limerick have a lot of players to pick from and Peter Casey, of course.

Is AARON GILLANE THE BEST FORWARD IN THE COUNTRY?

I think he's a dangerous forward and he's a great record against Tipp scoring goals and he's my type of forward because he hangs around the square and he causes real trouble around there.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND TIPPERARY?

From Tipperary's point of view we are going in hope rather than confidence and we will be totally written off by the bookies. Tipp and Limerick is all about what happens on the day and I'm looking forward to a great game.

JOE QUAID (Limerick Camogie manager)

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF LIMERICK'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST CLARE?

A lot of the lads hadn't much game time but seemed to be getting better as the game went on. I think this team just does not do panic at any time. They've been to the well so many times.

AFTER ROUND ONE, WHO DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

You'd be a brave man to call that now. A lot will depend on the Cork and Cork result next weekend and we haven't seen Tipp yet. I don't think you could call it this early.

DO YOU SEE LIMERICK MAKING ANY CHANGES TO THEIR STARTING XV?

It's a very hard team to break into. The subs were excellent when they came on. I don't think one bad game is going to lose anybody their position. I'd say it will be much the same again.

Is AARON GILLANE THE BEST FORWARD IN THE COUNTRY?

He is. You saw the pulling and dragging that went on with him, he has that to contend with that, but still he seems to come up trumps all the time.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING BETWEEN LIMERICK AND TIPPERARY?

It's going to be an intriguing contest between the Tipp backs and Limerick forwards again. I'm expecting a kick from Tipp, the pressure is really on Liam Cahill to start getting results.