John Kiely and Brian Cody have named their starting lineups and subs ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland final between Limerick and Kilkenny. Kilkenny are the only thing standing in the way of Limerick and a third title in a row.
Limerick Starting Team
The big news is that Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch is not named in the Limerick matchday 26. Lynch missed most of the season due to injury and reportedly sprained an ankle in training this week. Graeme Mulcahy of Kilmallock comes into the starting XV.
BREAKING...
This is the LIMERICK TEAM that has been named for the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final. 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬#LuimneachAbú! pic.twitter.com/EfD4LJiQHu— The Green and White (@LimerickGAAzine) July 15, 2022
Here's the Limerick team in full:
Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey; William O'Donoghue, Darragh O'Donovan; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Graeme Mulcahy.
Subs: Barry Hennessy, Conor Boylan, Peter Casey, Aaron Costello, Colin Coughlan, Richie English, Robbie Hanley, Barry Murphy, Cathal O'Neill, Oisín O'Reilly, David Reidy.
Kilkenny Starting Team
Brian Cody sends out an extremely settled side. Conor Fogarty comes in on the bench.
Best of luck to all ..bring Liam home
— Sean McDonald (@SeanMcD32613736) July 15, 2022
All-Ireland final: John Kiely on the threat Kilkenny possess
Speaking to RTÉ ahead of the All-Ireland final, John Kiely said:
"I'm expecting a very tough, tight encounter," he said. "It's going to quite an intense affair, a high tackling rate in the game.
"More than anything it's about mentally building yourself up for the game, because you know it’s going to be tough, a physical encounter, and you want to be at your best.
"Being able to keep your composure and retaining the ball is going to be absolutely important.
"They were superb in their semi-final performance, absolutely electric,
"We're under no illusions, this is going to be an absolutely titanic battle for us, an incredible challenge. But one we're really looking forward to and relishing.
"We’re hoping that we’ll be there or thereabouts with 10 or 15 minutes to go and push on from there.
"You don’t know when you’re going to get a chance again to have a day like this so you have to seize the moment when it comes. We’re very determined to do that."
Meanwhile Brian Cody is being using modest self ahead of his 17th All-Ireland final
"I'm merely one person in the whole set-up"
Labhair Brian Cody Bainisteoir @KilkennyCLG le Spórt Iris ar @TG4TV #KilkennyGAA #Hurling #GAA #SpórtTG4 pic.twitter.com/0uA0O6Jceh— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) July 15, 2022
