TWO PLAYERS WILL make their senior football championship debuts for Limerick on Sunday against Clare, while two key forwards return to the starting side after being absent in recent campaigns.

Limerick's Ger Collins and Seamus O'Carroll. INPHO INPHO

Corner-back Daniel Daly and midfielder David Ward – both from the Fr Caseys club – are the newcomers for the clash with the Banner in Ennis.

There’s a first start as well for centre-forward James Naughton, who came on a substitute last summer.

Daniel Daly (right) challenges Jack Barry in the McGrath Cup final in January. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

David Ward (left) in action in January's McGrath Cup final against Jack Savage. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

The Limerick team has been strengthened greatly by the return to championship action by Seamus O’Carroll and Ger Collins to the full-forward line.

O’Carroll last played in championship for Limerick in the 2013 qualifier loss to Longford while Collins last outing in championship was in the 2014 qualifier defeat to Sligo.

The pair returned for the start of the 2017 campaign and have shown excellent form at club level.

Collins hit 0-6 last October when his club Monaleen lifted the Limerick senior football crown for the first time in five years.

Ger Collins and Monaleen ended a five-year wait for Limerick senior honours. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

O’Carroll has moved to play club football in Dublin this year and recently hit 1-10 in Castleknock’s second round victory over St Oliver Plunkett’s.

Seamus O'Carroll converted a penalty for Castleknock. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

New Limerick boss Billy Lee has lost several players who were in action when Limerick’s 2016 campaign ended against Cork last July.

Injury rules out Seanie Buckley and Ian Ryan, Paudie Browne has emigrated, Stephen Cahill has joined the hurling squad while Pa Ranahan has retired.

There are seven survivors remaining from the team that started that loss to Cork in goalkeeper Donal O’Sullivan, full-back Johnny McCarthy, corner-back Sean O’Dea, wing-back Brian Fanning, midfielder Darragh Treacy and wing-forwards Peter Nash and Garrett Noonan.

Darragh Treacy (left) in action for Limerick against Cork last summer. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Limerick

1. Donal O’Sullivan (Monaleen)

2. Daniel Daly (Fr Caseys)
3. Johnny McCarthy (St Kieran’s)
4. Sean O’Dea (Kilteely-Dromkeen)

5. Paul White (Rathkeale)
6. Iain Corbett (Newcastle West)
7. Brian Fanning (Pallasgreen)

8. Darragh Treacy (St Kieran’s)
9. David Ward (Fr Caseys)

10. Peter Nash (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
11. James Naughton (St Senan’s)
12. Garrett Noonan (Dromcollogher-Broadford)

13. Seamus O’Carroll (Castleknock, Dublin)
14. Danny Neville (Ballysteen)
15. Ger Collins (Monaleen)

Subs

16. Brian Scanlon (Gerald Griffins)
17. Tony McCarthy (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
18. Padraig Quinn (Monaleen)
19. Jamie Lee (Newcastle West)
20. Padraig Scanlon (Glin)
21. Josh Ryan (Oola)
22. Sean McSweeney (St Kieran’s)
23. Padraig De Brún (Firies, Kerry)
24. Sean Sheehan (Rathkeale)
25. Bill Creamer (Cappamore)
26. Jamie McGarry (Claughaun)

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