TEAM | John Kiely names unchanged lineup for Munster final clash with Clare

Cathal O’Neill remains in the starting line up where he is named at centre-forward, while Cian Lynch is chosen on the bench.

Limerick manager John Kiely has named an unchanged team from the win against Cork for the huge Munster SHC final meeting with Clare this weekend. It’s a repeat of last year’s final, as the Shannonsiders look to overcome Brian Lohan’s side for the second year in a row and win their fifth consecutive Munster final.

Kiely has gone with what he knows, opting not to make any changes to the side he put out against Cork. It means Cathal O’Neill remains in the side, named to start at centre-forward, while Cian Lynch is selected on the bench.

O’Neill is flanked by Gearoid Hegarty and Tom Morrissey, two men who have had contrasting championships so far. Former Hurler of the Year Hegarty has failed to find his form, although he has been showing signs of improvement of late. Morrissey, on the other hand, has arguably been the Treaty’s best player this year, scoring 0-12 across four games, and the Ahane man will be vital if Limerick are to prevail on Sunday.

Limerick’s top scorer Aaron Gillane is joined in the full-forward line by the county’s biggest goal threat in Seamus Flanagan, with Peter Casey rounding out the forwards, the Na Piarsaigh man scored five points against Tipperary in the 2021 Munster final.

Diarmaid Byrnes starts at half back as expected, the man from Patrickswell broke the championship scoring record for a defender last time out, and will be hoping to add to his tally when he meets the Banner, who he scored 0-5 against back in April.

Amongst the bench there are a number of changes with David McCarthy, Ronan Connolly and Oisin O’Reilly coming into the 26.

Limerick team to face Clare:

1. Nickie Quaid – Effin
2. Mike Casey – Na Piarsaigh
3. Dan Morrissey – Ahane
4. Barry Nash – South Liberties
5. Diarmaid Byrnes – Patrickswell
6. Declan Hannon – Adare
7. Kyle Hayes – Kildimo/Pallaskenry
8. Darragh O’Donovan – Doon
9. William O’Donoghue – Na Piarsaigh
10. Gearoid Hegarty – St Patricks
11. Cathal O’Neill – Crecora/Manister
12. Tom Morrissey – Ahane
13. Aaron Gillane – Patrickswell
14. Seamus Flanagan – Feoghanagh/Castlemahon
15. Peter Casey – Na Piarsaigh
16. David McCarthy – Glenroe
17. Conor Boylan – Na Piarsaigh
18. Ronan Connolly – Adare
19. Aaron Costelloe – Kilmallock
20. Colin Coughlan – Ballybrown
21. Adam English – Doon
22. Richie English – Doon
23. Cian Lynch – Patrickswell
24. Grame Mulcahy – Kilmallock
25. Oisin O’Reilly – Kilmallock
26. David Reidy – Dromin/Athlacca

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