PREVIEW | Limerick begin Munster Minor Hurling Championship with trip to Waterford

Limerick were last champions at the grade in 2020 with Adam English captaining the side to a second successive title.

The Limerick minor hurling team kick off their 2023 Munster Hurling Championship campaign this Tuesday, March 21st with a trip to the Fraher Field to take on Waterford.

Throw in is at 7pm in Dungarvan with Evan Loftus in his maiden year in charge after guiding the U15s to the All-Ireland Arrabawn title last August. He also helped Croagh Kilfinny to last year’s Limerick IHC final.

The Ballybrown native has named his panel for Tuesday night’s game with four remaining from the clash with the Deise 12 months ago in the form of John O’Keeffe, Diarmuid Lyons, Tadhg Boddy and Darren Collopy, who top scored in that game.

The Deise have also named their side for the Tuesday evening contest which will be streamed live by Munster GAA TV.

That meeting in 2022 ended 2-12 to 0-10 in Waterford’s favour but was their only victory of the campaign as they suffered defeat at the hands of Clare and twice against Tipperary who would go on to win the All-Ireland after a dramatic win over Offaly.

After the trip to the Fraher Fields, Limerick will have home advantage for their meeting with Clare next Tuesday. Loftus’ side have Tipperary in the third round in Thurles on April 18 before hosting Cork in the TUS Gaelic Grounds the following week.

Limerick were last champions at the grade in 2020 with Adam English captaining the side to a second successive title after an extra-time win over Tipperary. The previous year, Diarmuid Mullins’ side bested Clare in the provincial final.

Waterford’s last success in the Munster minor championship came all the way back in 2009 when they ended a 17-year wait for honours.

The Deise haven’t reached the final since 2014 when they were beaten by a Cian Lynch-captained Limerick after a replay in Semple Stadium. The previous year, Richie English captained Limerick to a win over the same opponents which also came in a replay.

Loftus has named an extensive backroom team and has a 37-man panel to choose from over the course of the championship.

Clare welcome Tipperary in the evening’s other game with Cork on a bye week, similar to the Senior format. However, the group winners will advance to the Munster final with second and third meeting in a semi-final to determine their opponents.

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