Hurling league final: Key match-ups as Limerick host Cork
THREAT: Limerick's Aaron Gillane celebrates his penalty against Cork in 2025. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
John Kiely handed the free-taking duties to Aidan O'Connor this spring but that hasn't diminished the importance of Aaron Gillane as their attacking spearhead.
Turning 30 this year, he's been a consistent thorn in Cork's side and earned the penalty that swung the league meeting last month, like he did in championship meetings in 2023 and '25.
While Shane O'Brien has blasted in 2-11 up top, Limerick still lean heavily on Gillane. In fact, there's a case they should feed him with a steadier supply given his power and accuracy.
Joyce won his first All-Star last year at wing-back but with Eoin Downey now on the flank, the Castlemartyr man was redeployed for the last league game against Offaly. Daire O'Leary made five appearances at full-back before that but Joyce is set for the role on Sunday.
Gillane will test how long-term the switch will be...
Adam English has been one of Limerick's most consistent performers in the league and assumed greater leadership as Limerick look to the players in their early 20s to set the tone.
Cian Lynch remains a hurling highlight reel in the middle third, one of the best creators the game has ever seen. He ran the show in the last meeting.
With Darragh Fitzgibbon, an All-Star midfielder in 2024 and '25, now at wing-forward, Tommy O'Connell and Tim O'Mahony have formed a strong partnership for Cork.
O'Mahony man-marked Lynch effectively in the '24 All-Ireland semi-final and Cork could do with him repeating the feat here. O'Connell started all bar one of the league games under Ben O'Connor, who coached him at club level and clearly has full faith in the Midleton man.
O'Donoghue earned the nickname 'The Terminator' as a midfield enforcer at the height of Limerick's dominance but also filled in without any fuss at centre-back in the 2023 All-Ireland final when Declan Hannon was injured.
With Kyle Hayes on the wing, the Na Piarsaigh man has clocked the fourth-highest number of minutes for Limerick across the league in the pivotal number six berth.
Barrett was an All-Star at centre-forward in 2024 and clipped 1-3 in last year's Munster final and 1-4 as Cork's best forward in the All-Ireland final.
Limerick will attempt to curb his enthusiasm without O'Donoghue moving out of the pocket.
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