It's winner takes all as Limerick take on Cork in a de-facto knockout playoff in the Gaelic Grounds this Sunday. We have all the Limerick team news and Cork team wews right here as John Kiely shows conviction in his selection and Cork shake things up yet again.
At the start of the season few would have predicted Limerick to be fighting for their place in the All-Ireland series before it even began yet here we are. With so much at stake this weekend, the mind games are at a climax and rumours are swirling as the squads, dummy teams and everything in between is announced.
Limerick v Cork Teams
It's do or die in Limerick v Cork this weekend, barring a miracle in Waterford, the winner of Limerick v Cork goes through and the loser is out of the All-Ireland series and their 2023 season is over.
Limerick Team News
If Limerick are to control their faith, they need a win against Cork to stay in the All-Ireland series. John Kiely already showed his steel last weekend as he pulled stalwarts Cian Lynch and Gearoid Hegarty from the field, a bold move that some might have called premature had it not so worked so well.
Despite Kiely's clear dissatisfaction with Hegarty and Lynch last weekend and spiralling rumours all week the duo once again start in the half-forward line together as the clock ticks for Limerick and Kiely places his faith in his star-men finding form.
Peter Casey who replaced Cian Lynch last weekend is rewarded for his efforts starting in corner-forward, while Limerick stalwart Kyle Hayes and captain Declan Hannon are both set to start after coming up with the goods late in the game against Tipperary. As well as the usual Aaron Gillane and Seamus Flanagan partnership up front.
John Kiely Releases his team and match panel v Cork:
Following a training session this evening John Kiely and his management team has announced their team and match panel to play Cork this Sunday afternoon in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship at the TUS Gaelic Grounds pic.twitter.com/BWBguhoYhM— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) May 26, 2023
Will this be the team that actually starts on Sunday afternoon? Many don't think so.
Cork
Cork have made three changes to the side that lost to Clare last weekend, with it slowly becoming clear that nobody is entirely sure who Cork's best 15 are. With an abundance of changes from game to game, could inconsistency be Cork's downfall?
Ger Millerick comes in for Tommy O'Connell, while Tim O'Mahony and Shane Kingston replace Conor Lehane and Conor Cahalane. Brian Roche gets a new partner in the middle of the park with Luke Meade dropping back to midfield and Darragh Fitzgibbon moving up to the half-forward line. There's no space back in the team for Ethan Twomey who lost his starting position ahead of the Clare game.
Despite the swapping Cork's team is undeniably strong and the full forward line of Shane Kingston, Patrick Horgan and Seamus Harnedy as well as Luke Meade and Darragh Fitzgibonns swap is bound to turn some heads in the Gaelic Grounds if it is indeed the team that starts.
Their team for Limerick v Cork in full is:
- Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
- Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons)
- Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
- Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra) Captain
- Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills)
- Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr)
- Robert Downey (Glen Rovers)
- Brian Roche (Bride Rovers)
- Luke Meade (Newcestown)
- Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum)
- Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)
- Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills)
- Shane Kingston (Douglas)
- Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
- Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
That's all the team news for Limerick v Cork as both sides prepare for all-out battle this Sunday.
SEE ALSO: Mayo's Oisin Mullin Has Already Got 'A Few Nicknames' At AFL Club
