Jackie Tyrell believes the moulding of a new Limerick side by John Kiely will demonstrate how ruthless the manager is ahead of expected changes at the heart of their defence for the new season.
The Shannonsiders begin their Allianz Hurling League Division 1 campaign in Cork on Saturday night in what is a high-profile clash, particularly for the time of year.
The former Kilkenny defender is expecting many questions to be answered about what tweaks Kiely will make for Championship over the course of the league, including the impact of the move to replace Declan Hannon as captain.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, Tyrrell said: "It's definitely a curious time for Limerick supporters. And it's probably the first time that John Kiely has been really challenged in terms of the year that has just gone by, it wasn't good enough.
"So he can't go back with the same 15. He can't go back with the same ideas. He needs to come with something different. So that poses a question on how ruthless he is?
"He has been very loyal to a lot of his lieutenants that have served him really well.
"You mentioned Declan Hannon, he was one that struggled last year in the All-Ireland semi-final with Cork.
"Shane Barrett dragged them everywhere, exposed them, so much that Declan Hannon ended up in the second half at left corner-back.
"You don't see that. It was interesting that Kyle Hayes was positioned at centre-back against Waterford (in a challenge game) at the weekend.
"Cathal O'Neill spent some time there. William O'Donoghue spent the second half of the challenge match there last weekend. The fact that he has moved the captaincy on suggests to me that that is one area of concern that Limerick have next year and are going to address it."
The RTÉ GAA analyst is expecting to see a move similar to what his former manager Brian Cody would do during his attempts to regain the All-Ireland title on the rare occasions they fell short.
"We'll have to wait and see on if Declan is included at number six. Will they try to protect him a bit better or will say the time has come for a new direction, a new captain, a new six and they have options in there.
"I would suggest he would go with the latter. Brian Cody used to do it every so often. He would just cut guys. There was no loyalty. There was no 'well, you have an All-Star two years ago or you were hurler of the year’, it was just, ‘what's the best thing for the team’?
"Six is a pivotal role. You command the pitch from there.
"Like goalkeeping, you're almost like that quarterback where you can drop, you can step up. So it's a hugely influential position. And one Limerick have got right for the best part of seven, eight, nine years.
"Declan Hannon has been unbelievable. But look, the question is, has the time come and passed now? And it's only natural. We all slow down. We get a little slower upstairs, and downstairs as well.
"And if you go back to when Kilkenny beat Limerick in that All-Ireland semi-final in 2018, Declan Hannon got whipped early doors.
"TJ Reid was orchestrating the whole game. Last year Cork attacked and targeted that Limerick full-back line and got huge traction early with Brian Hayes causing havoc on Mike Casey.
"So, they'll have to look at that area as well. You're also going to have maybe a new goalkeeper this year come championship. Will Nickie Quaid be back? It's hard to see it. So it's going to be an interesting time at the spine of that Limerick defense and how they show up.
"They have some great games to trial guys in it. But they have ready-made replacements in Kyle Hayes and William O’Donoghue who have done it on big days at the six position. And then it's the impact of who fills those spots?
"So it's a very curious time for Limerick but also an exciting time."
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