Ray Demspey names first Limerick team as Shannonsiders host Waterford in McGrath Cup

The Limerick senior footballers return to action for the first time since their All-Ireland qualifier loss in June.

Ray Dempsey has named his first Limerick Senior Football side as they host Waterford in the opening round of the McGrath Cup on Wednesday evening (7pm).

The Mayo native hands a full debut to Kildimo Pallaskenry’s Cathal Downes while Ruadhan O’Connor (Newcastle West), Brian Barry (Mungret St Pauls), Jack Ryan (Dromcollogher Broadford) and Monaleen duo Eoin O’Shea and Darragh Kennedy are set for first appearances from the bench.

There are seven of the starting team that were defeated by Cork in the Qualifiers last summer retained for tonight’s clash in the form of Sean O’Dea, Brian Fanning, Cian Sheehan, Gordon Brown, Cillian Fahy, Robbie Bourke and Adrian Enright.

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There are a couple of positional switches with Paul Maher and Killian Ryan both named in the forward unit. Maher started last year’s Munster final at wing back while Ryan has predominately been used in the same line.

Cian Sheehan starts at midfield after coming up just short with his club Newcastle West in the Munster club final. Clubmates Iain Corbett and Diarmuid Kelly are among the substitutes as is Ruadhan O’Connor who will be seeking his senior debut.

Last year, Limerick lost both of their McGrath Cup contests, falling to Kerry in Tralee and Tipperary in Mick Neville Park. The previous year, they were crowned McGrath Cup champions with a comprehensive win over Cork.

Limerick face Tipperary in their second contest in Moyne Templetuohy on Saturday January 14 in Group B. Cork, Kerry and Clare make up the other group.

Limerick Senior Football Team to face Waterford.

  1. Aaron O’Sullivan (Pallasgreen)
  2. David Connolly (Adare)
  3. Sean O’Dea (Kilteely Dromkeen)
  4. Gordon Brown (Na Piarsaigh)
  5. Barry Coleman (Rathkeale)
  6. Brian Fanning (Pallasgreen)
  7. Colm McSweeney (Gerald Griffins)
  8. Cian Sheehan (Newcastle West)
  9. Cillian Fahy (Drom Broadford)
  10. Cathal Downes (Kildimo Pallaskenry)
  11. Dara Noonan (Gerald Griffins)
  12. Paul Maher (Adare)
  13. Adrian Enright (Fr Caseys)
  14. Killian Ryan (Mungret St Pauls)
  15. Robbie Bourke (Adare)

Substitutes:

  1. Donal O’Sullivan (Monaleen),
  2. Tony McCarthy (Kildimo Pallaskenry),
  3. Iain Corbett (Newcastlewest), 
  4. Diarmuid Kelly (Newcastlewest),
  5. Peter Nash (Kildimo Pallaskenry), 
  6. Ruahan O’Connor (Newcastlewest),
  7. Brian Barry (Mungret St Pauls),
  8. Michael Donovan (Galbally), 
  9. Eoin O’Shea (Monaleen),
  10. Darragh Kennedy (Monaleen),
  11. Jack Ryan (Dromcollogher Broadford)

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