After a bye week in the first round of the Allianz Hurling League, Limerick are raring to go with a mega Munster derby under the lights set for Saturday night.
The Treaty County fell close to the final hurdle of a five-in-a-row in the All-Ireland last year and this weekend in Cork they will have a shot at the team who ended their quest to make hurling history.
Cork and Limerick played out two classic games last year, with the Rebels claiming dramatic victories in both the Munster round-robin and the All-Ireland semi-final, as they derailed Limerick's drive for five.
One could scarcely think of a better way for Limerick to hit the ground running, though all has not been entirely smooth for John Kiely's side in the off-season.
For the first time since 2017, Limerick will not be captained by Declan Hannon. The Adare half-back captained Limerick in four of their five victorious All-Ireland finals of late and won another medal from the sidelines after the 2023 final.
After a few injury issues in recent years, Hannon has been replaced as captain by Cian Lynch for the 2025 season. A statement by Limerick GAA with the announcement read:
The Limerick Senior Hurling Management team and all in Limerick GAA would like to take this opportunity to thank Declan Hannon for his extraordinary leadership over the last seven seasons since his appointment in 2017.
Declan has at all times put the team first. We have no doubt that he will continue to do so as a player in 2025.
Jackie Tyrrell appeared on RTÉ's hurling podcast this week to look ahead to the blockbuster clash between Cork and Limerick in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoímh on Saturday.
The Kilkenny legend was asked whether he thought that decisions such as removing the captaincy from Declan Hannon signalled the beginning of "Limerick 2.0" - and he said it did set an intriguing precedent.
READ HERE: Kildare Star Believes He Was Dropped From Panel Because Of His Social Media Page
Jackie Tyrrell assesses change of captaincy in Limerick
Drawing comparison with Manchester City's recent decline, Jackie Tyrrell was asked whether the cogs had begun to turn on regenerating this Limerick team with a view to the future.
Tyrrell commented on the "curious" decision to take the captaincy from Declan Hannon, saying that it may show an understanding from John Kiely that the team must change to stay competitive.
You use the word 'curious' and it definitely is a curious time for Limerick supporters.
It's probably the first time that John Kiely is really challenged. In terms of the year that went by, it wasn't good enough. He can't go back with the same 15, he can't go back with the same ideas. He needs to come back with something different. That poses a question of how ruthless he is.
He has been very loyal to a lot of his lieutenants that have served him really well. You mention Declan Hannon, he was one. But he is one who struggled last year in that All-Ireland semi-final. Shane Barrett dragged him everywhere, exposed him so much that Declan Hannon ended up in the second-half at left corner-back. You don't see that.
It's interesting that in that game against Cork, Kyle Hayes was moved to centre-back. Cathal O'Neill has spent some time there, William O'Donoghue spent the second half of the challenge match last weekend [there].
The fact that he's moved the captaincy on suggests that that is one area of concern that Limerick have and they're going to address it. Will it mean Declan Hannon being in that 6 position? We'll have to wait and see. Will they try and protect him a bit better? Or will they just go, 'Time has come for a new direction, a new captain, a new 6.'
I would suggest he would go with the latter. Brian Cody used to...there was no loyalty, 'Oh you won an All-Star two years ago' - it's just what's best for the team.
With goalkeeper Nickie Quaid ruled out for the season, change is afoot for Limerick. We will get our first look at them in action on Saturday night in Cork, with the game live on the TG4 player at 7:30pm.
