NINE OF THE Galway team that started last September’s All-Ireland final replay loss to Kilkenny are in the line-up to start for the counties rematch in Pearse Stadium next Sunday.
Manager Anthony Cunningham has been forced into making some changes for the Allianz Division 1A hurling league clash due to injury, suspension and club commitments.
A shoulder injury rules out goalkeeper James Skehill while both David Burke and James Regan are involved with the St Thomas team who are involved in the All-Ireland club final next month.
Attacker Cyril Donnellan is suspended for the first two league ties after being dismissed in last year’s All-Ireland final replay while Andy Smith is banned after being sent-off during the Walsh Cup.
Fergal Flannery starts in goal while Jonathan Glynn, Davy Glennon and Niall Healy get starting places in attack. There is also a switch at centre-back with
Joseph Cooney replacing Tony Óg Regan while Aidan Harte comes in for Smith at midfield.
GALWAY: Fergal Flannery (Padraig Pearses); Johnny Coen (Loughrea), Kevin Hynes (Sarsfields), Fergal Moore (Turloughmore); Niall Donoghue (Kilbeacanty), Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields), David Collins (Liam Mellowes); Iarla Tannian (Ardrahan), Aidan Harte (Gort); Jonathan Glynn (Ardrahan), Niall Burke (Oranmore-Maree), Davy Glennon (Mullagh); Niall Healy (Craughwell), Joe Canning (Portumna), Damien Hayes (Portumna).
Limerick manager John Allen has named 11 of the side that lost out to Kilkenny in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final for their Division 1B game with Antrim on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Aaron Murphy and the attacking pair of Conor Allis and Kevin Downes all start. The final new player drafted in is Seamus Hickey, a recognized defender who is notably named at centre-forward.
LIMERICK: Aaron Murphy (Hospital-Herbertstown); Stephen Walsh (Glenroe), Richie McCarthy (Blackrock), Tom Condon (Knockaderry); Wayne McNamara (Adare), Donal O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry), Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock); James Ryan (Garryspillane), Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock); Declan Hannon (Adare), Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher), Conor Allis (Croom), Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock), Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh), Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh).
WEXFORD: Niall Breen (Tara Rocks); Bobby Kenny (Buffers Alley), Tomas Waters (St Martin’s), Eoin Moore (Oulart-The-Ballagh); Richie Kehoe (Faythe Harriers), Andrew Shore (Parnell’s, Dublin), Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers); David Redmond (Oulart-The-Ballagh), Andrew Kenny (Buffers Alley); Harry Kehoe (Cloughbawn), Stephen Murphy (St Martin’s), Garrett Sinnott (Oulart-The-Ballagh); Paul Morris (Ferns St Aidan’s), Michéal O’Regan (Glynn-Barntown), Gary Moore (Glynn-Barntown).
