Subtle shifts in Limerick hurling panel to look out for ahead of Cork clash

Cork will commence their Munster Senior Hurling League campaign tomorrow when they face Limerick, who lost out to Clare on Saturday, 3-20 to 3-18 in Tulla.

Beyond the six goals, their opening round fixture was an intriguing battle, with a Mark Rodgers penalty near the end proving to be the difference, as Clare snatched the win.

Both sides fielded experimental teams – unsurprising of course given the early stage in the season and the competition itself – as Limerick made five changes from the side that lost out in the Champions Under Lights challenge for the Dillon Quirke Foundation in December.

Only one change was made on the defensive end by John Kiely, though, with Dylan O’Shea coming in for Colin Coughlan at wing-back.

However, the Limerick side to face Cork on Wednesday will be without a large contingent of players, as a result of the 13 panel members involved with Fitzgibbon teams.

Many of them will be playing on January 7 and 8 for their college sides, including Cathal O’Neill, who has stepped into the role of centre-back as of late, both in training and in the previous games against Tipp and Clare.

DEPARTURES

There have been a number of changes to the Limerick panel in terms of outgoings, too. The most notable is of course Declan Hannon’s decision to retire – which was announced in October – though Séamus Flanagan’s exclusion from the panel prior to this season also came as a shock.

Goalkeeper Shane Dowling opted to step away, while Jason Gillane, Micheál Houlihan, Cian Scully and Fergal O’Connor are also not involved this year.

For Cathal O’Neill, change is of course part of the natural cycle that comes with the passing of time, but their departures will be noticed. “I suppose it's natural to have that cycle,” he explained. “To have the new players coming and some other players stepping away.

“It does and it doesn't [change the dressing room]. “It's just the way it is. The last few years, we have been losing bodies as it was, and new fellas are always being introduced.

It’s kind of just that cyclical nature of sport,” O’Neill said. “Everything's going to evolve. So no, the environment is really good in there at the moment.” 

Hannon’s departure is of course the biggest one, and O’Neill said he felt fortunate to have had the chance to play alongside the five-time All-Ireland champion.

“What a servant and what a player,” he added. “He's someone I looked up to even when I was in primary school and secondary school, so I was just delighted to have the chance to share the dressing room and play with him.” 

Of the incoming players to the setup, there are nine from Limerick’s U20 panel of last year, including goalkeeper Fionn O’Brien, who is playing Fitzgibbon hurling for UCC, and played the first half of the Canon O’Brien Cup against Cork on December 28.

Other names to make the move up include Sean Casey, Matthew Fitzgerald, Hugh Flanagan, Darragh Langan, Robert O'Farrell, Dara Ferland, James Coughlan and Fintan Fitzgerald.

U20 INJECTION

Matthew Fitzgerald and O’Farrell both impressed in Harty hurling with Castletroy College in the 2024/25 season, despite the school’s group stage elimination, and were both starters for the Limerick U20s in last year’s campaign.

The aforementioned O’Brien was the netminder in each of their four Munster U20 HC games, while Casey featured in the full-back line during their U20 championship campaign, and did so again against Clare for the seniors last Saturday.

Matthew Fitzgerald and his Monaleen clubmate Ferland were both brought on the second half against the Banner, while Fintan Fitzgerald and Langan both started the opening Munster Senior Hurling League contest.

Changes haven’t just come within the panel, either. Caroline Currid of course makes her return to take over the sports psychology role from Paul Kilgannon, as Limerick look to get back on top and reclaim the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

The result on Wednesday will hardly be a defining factor for either side given the circumstances, but it will be interesting to see what way Limerick shape up, particularly with so many of the young crop Kiely wants to give game time to as a result of the Fitzgibbon Cup.