Pat Donnelly talks to Sporting Limerick about the challenge that lies ahead to for Limerick in Wednesday night’s big game.

Pat Donnelley’s U-21 hurlers have been a breath of fresh air for Limerick GAA fans this Summer. Wins over Tipperary and Clare in the Munster Championship have set up Wednesday evening’s showdown with Cork at the Gaelic Grounds.

If Limerick are to emerge successful on Wednesday evening then nobody can accuse them of taking the easy route. Despite Paddy Power having Limerick as short as 1/4 Donnelly reckons Wednesday’s final is going to be a tight affair and is not buying into the bookies perspective.

“When you win [these games], it’s the best way to the final but we are looking forward to the final on Wednesday night and we have a 50/50 chance and we don’t see it any more than that.”

Everyone likes winning hurling but the manner in which Limerick have dispatched the Banner and Permier counties has been most encouraging. Limerick’s style has been very easy on the eye, free flowing and with a great array of scores.

With recent heated debate over the different styles employed at senior level by certain counties, Donnelly believes in then talent of his side and has given the freedom to play to their strengths.

“Look, I’ve been on record as saying it. They are good hurlers, they play with a bit of flair and we let them do that. We encourage them to move the ball quickly and that’s what they are doing and so far it has worked well. Wednesday night will be a different opposition but we will give it our best shot.”

The Limerick team to play Cork.

Limerick U21 v Cork EMcNamara SFinn DFanning DJoy RLynch KHayes TGrimes CRyan RHanley AGillane MMackey CLynch PCasey TMorrissey BNash pic.twitter.com/GaDeFJKLgn

— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) July 24, 2017

While there has been a recent injury concern for sharp shooter Aaron Gillane, Donnelly has dispelled those worries with the news that he has a fully fit panel to choose from.  Gillane has been a key part of Limerick’s success to date. scoring 9 points against Tipperary with seven coming from placed balls. He was superb against Clare in the semi final registering a 14 point haul with 5 coming from frees and one ’65.

 “We are training tonight. Aaron Gillane had a bit of a scare and we are very confident that he will be ok and I think everyone else should be fine.”

You can hear Donnelly’s thoughts in full in the link below.

A failed appeal mans that the Rebels will be without influential midfielder Darragh Fitzgibbon who picked up a red card in semi final against Waterford. Other that that, John Meyler will have a full panel to select from. If Limerick are to pick up just their 8th Munster Hurling Championship, then

“When they (Cork) won the semi final, I knew myself that they were going to improve. Cork just have that knack of getting better as it goes on. We have a good team, they have a good team. Whoever produces the form on the night will win the game but if we play to our potential, Cork will have to be very good to beat us.”

Throw in is at 7:30pm at the Gaelic Grounds and ticket are available through Centra and SuperValu outlets as well as at the gate on the night. TG4 will be doing live coverage of the game for those not luck enough to be heading along.