<notforsyndication>Watch Offaly v Laois in the Leinster SHC and Fermanagh v Monaghan in the Ulster SFC live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (IoI) this Sunday. Live updates on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ.ie and RTÉ Aertel. Live WEB-ONLY coverage of Dublin v Westmeath (IoI). Commentary by Marty Morrissey. </notforsyndication>
by James McMahon
Fermoy is the venue for Limerick v Tipperary, where the winners will face Cork in the provincial semi-final.
It wasn’t so long ago that Limerick were ranked No 2 in Munster, and were either brushing Cork aside with consummate ease or pushing Kerry all the way in Munster finals.
Their stock has fallen alarmingly in recent times, and they only barely retained their status in Division 3 of the NFL. Some pundits have spoken that Mickey Ned’s men are there for there taking against a Tipperary side, who came with a late surge on the final day to gain promotion from Division 4.
Coming shortly after the death of squad member Darrel Darcy, it was testament to the bravery shown by John Evans's charges. For the trip to Fermoy, the Premiermen will be boosted by the return of promising forward Barry Grogan, but Chris Aylward misses out through injury. In total there are six newcomers to the side - Aidan Foley, Ciaran McDonald, Paddy Codd, Brian Jones, Sean Carey and Seamus Grogan
Mickey Ned O’Sullivan has given starting places to four debutants. The full forward line of Kieren O’Callaghan, Dermot Phelan and Ian Ryan will have their first taste of championship against Tipperary, while the quartet is completed by corner back Stephen Walsh.
O’Sullivan will have to do without a number of regulars, including Conor Mullane and Michael Reidy.
Tipperary have the momentum coming into this encounter, while Limerick’s spring form and the fact that they will not have their strongest XV on show, leaves them vulnerable.
However, the Treatymen's desire to muster a decent championship showing after a few below par efforts and Mickey Ned’s urgings may just provide the extra impetus to sneak a narrow win.
Verdict: Limerick
LIMERICK (SFC v Tipperary): S Kiely, D Carroll, J McCarthy, S Walsh; P Brown, S Lavin, P Ranahan; J Galvin, T Cahill; S Kelly, J Ryan, S Buckley; K O’Callaghan (c), D Phelan, I Ryan.
TIPPERARY (SF v Limerick): P Fitzgerald; A Foley, M Peters, C McDonald; P Codd, R Costigan, N Curran; K Mulryan, E Hanrahan; P Johnson, B Jones, D O'Brien; S Carey, S Grogan, B Grogan.
