PREVIEW: Limerick U20 Hurlers look for first ever title in Munster decider against Cork

Diarmuid Mullins’ Limerick U20 team will play Cork in the 2021 Munster GAA Hurling Under 20 Championship this Wednesday at 19:30.

The game will take place in Páirc Uí Chaoimh with coverage from TG4.

Cork are the reigning champions in this grade following their victory over Dublin a few weeks ago in 2020’s delayed final.

On their way to lifting the trophy, they defeated Limerick after extra time in the Munster semi-final.

Limerick are in flying form following the defeat of Clare last week. The Treaty side won on a scoreline of 1-27 to 0-17 where Adam English was in exceptional form, clocking up 1-6 from wing forward. As such the Doon man could be the key to unlocking Cork’s defence on Wednesday evening.

English will be joined in the half forward line by senior player Cathal O’Neill who hit over 0-11 in the quarter-final win over Clare. He is one of two senior players on the team with Colin Coughlan named at centre-back.

Diarmuid Mullins has made two changes to the side to face Cork with Ronan Fox and Cathal Downes coming into the starting line up.

Downes hit over a brace in the quarter-final on his introduction and he replaces Patrick Kirby with Fox in in the place of Donnacha O’Dalaigh.

Limerick team to play Cork

1. Conor O’Neill (Ballybrown)  2. Chris Thomas (Doon)  3. Pádraig Harnett (Ahane)  4. Michael Keane (Adare)  5. Emmet McEvoy (Na Piarsaigh)  6. Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown)  7. Cormac Ryan (Doon)  8. Jimmy Quilty (Blackrock) (Capt))  9. Cathal Downes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)  10. Diarmuid Hegarty (St Patrick’s)  11. Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister)  12. Adam English (Doon)  13. Bryan Nix (Newcastle West) (V/C)  14. Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown)  15. Ronan Fox (Ahane)  

Substitutes:  16. Conor Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock)  17. Patrick Kirby (Patrickswell)  18. Liam Lynch (Mungret St Pauls)  19. Eddie Stokes (Doon)   20. Fergal O’Connor (Effin)  21. Brian O’Meara (Mungret St Pauls)  22. Donnacha O’Dalaigh  (Monaleen)  23. Patrick Reale (Knockainey)  24. Ethan Hurley (Newcastle West).

As for Cork, they defeated Tipperary in the semi-final on a scoreline of 3-20 to 2-17.

The bookmakers have Cork as slight favourites but Wednesday’s game is expected to be a close affair with very little between the sides.

Mullins said that the Limerick team are ‘under no illusions’ that there’ll be a big challenge from Cork.

Cork U20 V Limerick U20 – Wednesday 28th July – 19:30 @ Páirc Uí Chaoimh – Munster final – Live on TG4