LIMERICK BOSS TJ Ryan has shaken up his hurling panel for the 2015 season with five new players introduced to the setup and six players making way.
In addition Donal O’Grady is to remain as team captain with Paudie O’Brien, a member of the current Munster club champions Kilmallock, to act as vice-captain. Another boost for Limerick is the inclusion of Niall Moran in their squad. Moran announced his retirement in December 2013 but returned to the panel last June.
The Limerick Leader reports today that Ryan has drafted in to his senior setup two members of the county minor team that reached the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny last September.
Cian Lynch, who captained that minor team, and Tom Morrissey have been called up. Both players lined out in attack in that All-Ireland minor decider and struck 0-5 between them.
The other new players drafted in are Pat Begley, Adrian Breen and Seanie O’Brien. Begley and O’Brien both started on the Limerick team that won the Munster U21 final in 2011 against Cork while Breen came on as a sub in that game. Breen has also won two county and Munster senior club medals in recent years with Na Piarsaigh.
The six players to make way from the Limerick panel include three players who played in that U21 victory in 2011 – Alan Dempsey, Michael Ryan and Mark Carmody. William Hickey, Tommy Quaid and Paudie Ahern also make way.
Limerick begin their competitive campaign on January 18th with a Waterford Crystal Cup quarter-final tie against Waterford or Limerick IT. Their opening Division 1B Allianz hurling league match is against Waterford on Saturday February 14th.
LIMERICK
Na Piarsaigh – David Breen, Shane Dowling, Kevin Downes, Cathal King, Adrian Breen.
Kilmallock – Gavin O’Mahony, Graeme Mulcahy, Paudie O’Brien, Barry Hennessy.
Adare – Declan Hannon, John Fitzgibbon, Wayne McNamara.
Ahane – Niall Moran, Dan Morrissey, Tom Morrissey.
Patrickswell – Thomas O’Brien, Cian Lynch, Seanie O’Brien.
Murroe-Boher – Seamus Hickey, Seanie Tobin.
Mungret – Patrick Begley.
South Liberties – Tom Ryan.
Dromin-Athlacca – David Reidy.
Effin – Nickie Quaid.
Knockaderry – Tom Condon.
Blackrock – Richie McCarthy.
Garryspillane – James Ryan.
Bruff – Paul Browne.
Granagh-Ballingarry – Donal O’Grady.
Hospital-Herbertstown – Aaron Murphy.
Glenroe – Stephen Walsh.
Croom – Conor Allis.
