Justin McCarthy’s first championship game against the county he managed to three Munster titles has dominated the headlines in the build-up to this encounter.
Munster SHC Semi-final
Thurles: Limerick v Waterford, 4.00pm
McCarthy left the Deise hotseat in controversial circumstances almost exactly a year ago after Waterford’s defeat to Clare. Now, the Cork man is in charge of Limerick and will be plotting the downfall of his former charges against a Deise side managed by Clare native Davy Fitzgerald. How times can change in a year.
McCarthy will feel he has the inside knowledge required to take down Waterford. However, the St Finbarr’s clubman has been very unlucky in that a number of his players are struggling with injury.
Managerial aspects apart, there’s the memory of the thrilling All-Ireland semi-final clash in 2007 when Limerick went on a goal blitz which helped beat Waterford on a 5-11 to 2-15 scoreline.
Waterford had beaten Limerick in the Munster final the month before but found the Shannonsiders a much different proposition next time around.
This will be the 35th championship meeting between the counties with Limerick having won 20 to Waterford’s twelve while there have been two draws of the previous 34 clashes. Limerick enjoyed a great run against Waterford between 1985 and 1997 winning all five championship meetings but Waterford won three and drew one of the next five before losing the 2007 All-Ireland semi-final.
Limerick and Waterford met in the Allianz GAA Hurling National League in April with Limerick winning by 2-14 to 1-13 in the Gaelic Grounds in a game where Niall Moran scored 1-9 for the winners.
Both counties won three and lost four of their seven Division One games, finishing behind Kilkenny, Tipperary, Galway and Dublin on the table.
Brian Geary and Seamus Hickey start at centre-back and midfield respectively for Limerick despite ongoing concerns over their fitness. Hickey usually operates at corner back and has, rather unusually, been named at midfield.
Gavin O’Mahony, who is still recovering from an assault he suffered last month in Cork City, sits the game out along with Mike O’Brien and David Breen, who have been ruled out through injury.
Waterford boss Fitzgreald has caused a stir by naming Dan Shanahan on the bench, but the former Hurler of the Year has not been at his best this year and his place has gone to Jamie Nagle at wing-forward. In defence, Tony Browne is named on the bench after struggling with his fitness throughout the year.
John Mullane, who was struggling with a hamstring injury this week, gets the nod at corner forward in a deadly attack that is supplemented by Eoin Kelly and Eoin McGrath.
Ken McGrath plays at centre-forward, having played at centre-back and, less successfully, at full-back last year.
Waterford have a point to prove after last year’s disastrous showing in the All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny, while Limerick remain something of an unknown quantity after their poor campaign last year.
No matter what, it will be a fiery Munster Championship encounter in Thurles, with the winners set to meet either Clare or Tipperary in the final.
Verdict: Waterford
Waterford: C Hennessy; E Murphy, D Prendergast, N Connors; K Moran, M Walsh, A Kearney; S O’Sullivan, S Molumphy; S Prendergast, K McGrath, J Nagle; E McGrath, E Kelly, J Mullane.
Limerick: B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, M O’Riordan; S Walsh, B Geary, M Foley; D O’Grady, S Hickey: J Ryan, O Moran, N Moran; A O’Shaughnessy, J O’Brien, D Ryan.