LIMERICK HAVE KEPT faith with the team that saw off Galway for next Saturday’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 hurling final against Wexford in Semple Stadium.
The Munster champions ran out six-point winners over Galway last month and manager John Kiely has named an unchanged side for the decider.
Six members of the team that lost last year’s All-Ireland minor final to Kilkenny will start on Saturday night.
Corner-back Sean Finn is a survivor along with attackers Ronan and Cian Lynch. The entire full-forward line – Colin Ryan, Tom Morrissey and Barry Nash – also started in that defeat to the Cats.
The team is captained by Patrickswell’s Diarmaid Byrnes at right half-back.
There are three changes to the substitutes since the Limerick game with Jody Hannon, Liam O’Sullivan and Seamus Flanagan all drafted in for Jack Quaid, Dean Coleman and Kevin O’Brien.
Flanagan is joined on the bench by his brother Sean and is one of three current minors in the replacements along with Eoghan McNamara and Peter Casey. Corner-back Michael Casey is an older brother of Peter.
Throw-in on Saturday is 7pm.
Limerick
1. David McCarthy (Glenroe)
2. Sean Finn (Bruff)
3. Richie English (Doon)
4. Michael Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell – Captain)
6. Barry O Connell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
7. Gearoid Hegarty (St Patrick’s)
8. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
9. Pat Ryan (Doon)
10. Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh)
11. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
12. David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
13. Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen)
14. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
15. Barry Nash (South Liberties).
Subs
16. Eoghan McNamara (Doon)
17. Mark O’Callaghan (Knockaderry)
18. Andrew La Touche Cosgrave (Monaleen)
19. Jack Kelliher (Patrickswell)
20. Sean Flanagan (Feohanagh/Castlemahon)
21. Jody Hannon (Adare)
22. Liam O Sullivan (Knockaderry)
23. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh/Castlemahon)
24. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)