Limerick U20s look to emulate the minor hurlers and seal top three spot in Munster against Tipperary

The game will be a repeat of the 2020 Munster Minor Final where Limerick won the title after extra time in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

A place in the top two of the Munster Hurling Championship is on offer for an undefeated Limerick U20 team this evening as they travel to Semple Stadium to take on Tipperary.

Diarmuid Mullins side were impressive in seeing off Waterford in the opener before letting a late lead slip against Clare in the Gaelic Grounds last time out.

Tipperary on the other hand have just one point to show from their pair of outings, a first-round draw with Clare. They suffered a nine-point loss to Cork a fortnight ago.

If Limerick were to win, they would guarantee a top-two finish with their final-round game with Cork to decider who tops the group table. It would also eliminate Tipperary with a game to spare. On Tuesday night, the Limerick minors ended the Premier’s season in the same venue.

Diarmuid Mullins has named his team for the clash which shows a number of positional and personnel changes from the Clare encounter.

Barry Duff and Sean O’Neil come into the team from the start. David Fitzgerald reverts to corner back with Duff coming in at wing back. Ronan Lyons is at #3 with John Fitzgerald dropping to the bench. John Kirby moves to midfield while Adam Fitzgerald drops back to wing forward. Adam English is moved into the full forward line alongside Shane O’Brien and O’Neill.

English and O’Brien are ruled out for the senior contest with Waterford on Sunday with players ineligible for seven days after featuring for the U20s.

Team captain Patrick O’Donovan remains at centre forward where he was the star player in the draw with Clare. The Effin native contributed 0-12 on that evening with five coming from play in a tour de force performance.

He is one of seven players that started in last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny in Thurles.

Tipperary’s backs will be to the wall on Friday evening with their season on the line. They are currently two points behind Limerick in the table with both playing again a week from today. A win for the Premier will draw them level with the Shannonsiders, a point behind Clare who have played all of their games.

A draw could be enough if Tipperary were to beat bottom side Waterford by 15 points in the final round.

The game will be a repeat of the 2020 Munster Minor Final where Limerick won the title after extra time in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. Adam English bagged 0-5 on that day and captained the side to victory. Seven of that side remains in the starting line up for Friday.

Tipp are also still well-represented from that team with the likes of Jack Leamy still in tow. He hit 0-10 in the defeat to Limerick three years ago and is one of ten from that XV that are named from the start for Friday.

Momentum is certainly with Limerick and the reigning champions will be keen to get back to winning ways after letting it slip against Clare. Back Mullins’ men to kick off the championship weekend in style for the Shannonsiders.

Limerick face Tipperary in the Munster U20 Hurling Championship in Semple Stadium on Friday, April 21 at 7.30pm, live on TG4.

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