Hayes starts at centre back with Hegarty switching to wing back, Lynch starts and captains

The side is much changed from the one that lined out in the Munster final, with Kiely forced into alterations due to injury.

John Kiely has named his Limerick team to face Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final this Saturday. The side is much changed from the one that lined out in the Munster final, with Kiely forced into alterations due to injury.

The most notable changes come in the half-backline, where captain Declan Hannon was forced to withdraw following a knee injury. Kildimo Pallaskenry man Kyle Hayes has shuffled in to centre-back, while usual half-forward Gearoid Hegarty filling in the wing-back slot vacated by Hayes, with the St Pats man excelling there during the All-Ireland U21 success in 2015. Similarly to Hegarty, Hayes was at #6 when Limerick won the same title in 2017.

David Reidy has moved into Hegarty’s spot, while Cian Lynch is fit enough to start, and captain the Limerick side from centre-forward. It is the first time Hannon hasn’t captained the side since 2019, when Tom Morrissey led the troops against Tipperary.

Aaron Gillane is named at corner-forward, as is Peter Casey, who returns to the side in the place of Graeme Mulcahy.

Limerick have beaten Galway three times in the last five years, two of those coming in semi-finals, and their semi-final record under Kiely in general has been outstanding, winning four from five.

The Tribesmen line out themselves with a few changes as Daithi Burke and Gearoid McInerney switching places. Captain Burke reverts to full back with McInerney out at #6 as they were in the 2022 clash. Star man Conor Whelan is selected at corner-forward with Cathal Mannion to start in midfield.

Throw in this Saturday is 6pm in Croke Park.

Limerick team to play Galway:

1. Nickie Quaid
2. Mike Casey
3. Dan Morrissey
4. Barry Nash
5. Diarmaid Byrnes
6. Kyle Hayes
7. Gearoid Hegarty
8. William O’Donoghue
9. Darragh O’Donovan
10. David Reidy
11. Cian Lynch
12. Tom Morrissey
13. Aaron Gillane
14. Seamus Flanagan
15. Peter Casey

GAA coverage on Sporting Limerick is brought to you in association with Noels Menswear, shop online here or visit in Dooradoyle, Limerick City or Newcastle West.