All-Ireland semi-final starting XV’s revealed with plenty to ponder for each

Each of the four remaining sides will come into the clash with their own concerns and potential match winners.

The weekend is finally upon us, and the final four in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling series have all named their teams accordingly.

ForLimerick, Galway, Kilkenny and Clare it could be last chance saloon in Croke Park for the second year running. The same final four as 2022 but each looking that bit different after a taxing campaign thus far.

There are plenty of positives and negatives for all sides, as managers have had to deal with injuries and mould the squad accordingly.

LIMERICK

The Shannonsiders have to deal with the absence of their captain Declan Hannon, but are boosted by the return of star man Cian Lynch, who is one of two personal chances in the XV.

The absence Hannon has meant that John Kiely has had to shuffle his side, with Kyle Hayes moving over to centre-back, and Gearoid Hegarty coming in at #7.

Lynch starts at #11 with David Reidy moving out to the wing as Peter Casey comes in for Graeme Mulcahy.

It means just eight of the starting XV for last year’s semi-final clash are in the same positions but looking through the pack, it is still a formidable one with the Treaty still favoured to come through.

GALWAY

Looking at Galway, the main talking point will be the switch between Daithi Burke and Gearoid McInerney, and whether or not the pair will actually line out where they are named. Burke will go down as one of the best full backs the game has ever seen but was switched to six so far this year with GMac at full. However, Shefflin has named Burke at #3 once again with McInerney back to the position he won an All-Star in in 2017.

The Tribesmen line out with Conor Whelan at corner-forward, and the match up on the Kinvara man will be key with regular marker Sean Finn missing out through injury.

Cathal Mannion is named at midfield but after playing a starring role as a defect sweeper against Tipperary, could we see him fall back with Ronan Glennon (10) likely to move to the middle.

CLARE

Switching to Sunday’s semi, Clare have named their team for their meeting with Kilkenny, and it’s largely good news for the Banner with a couple of notable returns.

The spine of their defence have been passed fit to start with John Conlon and Conor Cleary back in the XV. Conlon missed last year’s semi-final bout with the Cats, and his absence was detrimental on that day, while without Cleary, the Banner lack a natural full-back.

Cleary didn’t feature in the Munster final while Conlon was taken off after a heavy collision in the quarters.

However, it’s not all good news for Brian Lohan, with star forward Aidan McCarthy ruled out through injury. Yet, Clare will feel they have more than enough in a forward unit containing Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell and Peter Duggan.

KILKENNY

The big news for Kilkenny is that Adrian Mullen has recovered from his injury to come in and take the place of Cian Kenny in midfield. The former Young Hurler of the Year has struggled with injury all year but would be a massive bonus to the side after tormenting Clare twelve months ago in Croke Park.

Last year’s captain, Richie Reid comes into the half-backline for the Cats, replacing Darragh Corcoran, while Martin Keoghan has been ruled fit to start, having came off early in the Leinster final. Elsewhere, its as you were for the four in a row Leinster champions who have enjoyed an impressive 2023 thus far.

Kilkenny team to play Clare:

1. Eoin Murphy
2. Mikey Butler
3. Huw Lawlor
4. Tommy Walsh
5. David Blanchfield
6. Richie Reid
7. Paddy Deegan
8. Conor Fogarty
9. Adrian Mullen
10. Tom Phelan
11. Martin Keoghan
12. John Donnelly
13. Billy Ryan
14. TJ Reid
15. Eoin Cody

Four incredible outfits, each with their own selection dilemmas and finishers from the bench. For Kiely, Shefflin, Logan and Lyng, the questions on those selections will be answered after the respective semi-finals.

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