The experts' view ahead of Limerick's Munster SHC clash with Cork on Saturday

GARY Kirby, Leo O'Connor, Barry Hennessy, Paul Shaughnessy and Adrian O'Sullivan give their thoughts ahead of round three of the Munster senior hurling championship when Limerick take on Cork at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh this Saturday, 7pm.

Gary Kirby (Former Limerick hurler)

HOW MUCH OF A LOSS WILL THE INJURED PETER CASEY BE FOR LIMERICK?

Peter is going to be a huge loss, there's no point in saying otherwise. Peter's a fantastic hurler, his work-rate off the ball is just as good on the ball.

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF LIMERICK'S FORM IN THE MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP?

The first day in Ennis we seemed to be finding our groove. Our style of hurling was coming back and there was a bit more fluency in our play against Tipp.

IS THIS THE STRONGEST LIMERICK PANEL YOU HAVE SEEN?

The panel is very strong, there's no question about it. Seamus wasn't used against Tipp, Adam and Donnacha have been coming through and Graeme Mulcahy came on the last day. My only concern would be the replacements we have in the backs.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM LIMERICK AND CORK THIS SATURDAY?

It'll be the toughest battle they'll have so far this year. If Cork lose, there as good as gone. At the end of day we looked like we were going to lose to Clare. Cork aren't as bad as the scorelines are suggesting.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

Limerick, Clare and Waterford.

Leo O'Connor (Offaly U20 hurling manager)

HOW MUCH OF A LOSS WILL THE INJURED PETER CASEY BE FOR LIMERICK?

Peter will be a massive loss and what guy has been doing over the last three years is massive. He's always on the scoreboard and always scoring from play.

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF LIMERICK'S FORM IN THE MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP?

Limerick are in a great position. More importantly, they're improving as they go along, they'll know themselves they got out of jail in Ennis.

IS THIS THE STRONGEST LIMERICK PANEL YOU HAVE SEEN?

I certainly do. If you looked at Fitzgibbon Cup games this year, Limerick players were predominantly coming to the fore. Limerick have a very experienced panel. I'd like to see Aidan O'Connor get a bit more gametime.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM LIMERICK AND CORK THIS SATURDAY?

I always thought that Cork would struggle in terms of physicality. Cork are fighting for their lives in terms of staying in the Munster championship. Cork have no other choice but to go out and attack Limerick.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

Limerick, Clare and Waterford.

Barry Hennessy (Former Limerick hurler)

HOW MUCH OF A LOSS WILL THE INJURED PETER CASEY BE FOR LIMERICK?

To any squad, that had a guy the cailbre of Peter, you'll obviously feel a loss in some capacity. Unfortunately with the cold nature of sport, they'll just have to move on and it'll be next man up.

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF LIMERICK'S FORM IN THE MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP?

I've been incredibly impressed with them. Two from two, John Kiely is obviously quite happy where they are at and I think the Limerick public will be quite happy as well. Momentum counts for a lot. Limerick are riding some crest of a wave at the moment.

IS THIS THE STRONGEST LIMERICK PANEL YOU HAVE SEEN?

I don't know would I say the strongest Limerick panel. They've always had strong panels. That winning culture that has been created has brought that depth. It's attractive now to hurl for Limerick because it's a winning machine.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM LIMERICK AND CORK THIS SATURDAY?

It's a strange one to call because Cork are obviously backed into a corner. There's just that unknown element for Cork at the moment. It'll be a good game, but I can only see one result with the momentum Limerick have.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

I see Clare, Limerick and Waterford coming out of Munster. I don't think Tipp and Cork will get out of Munster. 

Paul Shaughnessy (Leader Sport Reporter)

HOW MUCH OF A LOSS WILL THE INJURED PETER CASEY BE FOR LIMERICK?

Peter Casey will be a massive loss, you can see how hungry he was after missing the Clare game. Casey is probably one of the most under-rated hurlers in the country, but Limerick have the depth to cope with his loss. 

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF LIMERICK'S FORM IN THE MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP?

You have to be impressed with Limerick's form. The first day against Clare they showed huge character, while against Tipp the last day, they looked back to their best.

IS THIS THE STRONGEST LIMERICK PANEL YOU HAVE SEEN?

For me, Yes. Limerick have depth in every position when you look at the options: Fergal O'Connor, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Graeme Mulcahy and Seamus Flannagan who were all on the bench against Tipp. Then you look at a player like Shane O'Brien who hasn't been part of the 26-man panel this year in the game. 

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM LIMERICK AND CORK THIS SATURDAY?

I expect Cork to bring a performance, the Rebels know if they don't get a win or draw they will be out of the championship. Limerick won't be taking anything for granted, but I expect it to go right down to the wire. I think it will finish level.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

Limerick, Clare and I think Cork will finish third. 

Adrian O'Sullivan (Hurling coach)

HOW MUCH OF A LOSS WILL THE INJURED PETER CASEY BE FOR LIMERICK?

Peter will be a massive loss with the form he was in. He'll be very hard to replace but if you are the Limerick management the attitude has been next man up. A big loss, but I don't think John or Paul will be panicking.

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF LIMERICK'S FORM IN THE MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP?

Statistically, they probably didn't play as bad in the first 45 minutes in the Clare game. They just didn't execute at all, they just had a lot of bad wides. Once they kicked into gear in the last 20 minutes of the Clare game and the Tipp game, they were on a different planet.

IS THIS THE STRONGEST LIMERICK PANEL YOU HAVE SEEN?

I think so. It's an incredible panel, the lads have done a brilliant job. It's most in-depth panel that we have had in Limerick. The strength of the bench is exceptional, when they come on they are making an impact.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM LIMERICK AND CORK THIS SATURDAY?

Limerick and Cork games take on a life of their own. Cork were very close to be beating Limerick last year, Cork will always come with an arrogance. I think Limerick are a better balanced team than Cork. Limerick won't be taking them for granted.

WHAT THREE TEAMS DO YOU SEE COMING OUT OF MUNSTER?

Limerick, Clare and Waterford.