Munster SHC Quarter Final Preview - Limerick v Tipperary

The 2012 Munster Senior Hurling Championship explodes into life this weekend at Semple Stadium, as Tipperary and Limerick cross paths in this year's quarter-final.

GAA die-hard fan and Cork native Sharon Whelton previews the game for Studenty.me and gives her verdict of who will emerge as victors.

This Sunday, May 27, sees the eagerly anticipated clash between Munster rivals Limerick and Tipperary in the quarter final of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship.

Billed as one of the highlights of this weekend’s GAA calendar, these two hurling stalwarts will battle for a semi-final berth on June 24, against a Cork team who are determined to make their mark in this year’s hurling championship.

Both Limerick and Tipperary have named a strong starting 15 for Sunday’s game, with respective managers opting for a mixture of both youth and experience.

Limerick manager John Allen has handed championship debuts to up-and-coming stars Conor Allis and Shane Dowling, who are both named in the half-forward line.

Last year’s county champions, Na Piarsaigh, provide three of the forward sextet, with Kevin Downes and David Breen listed at full forward and wing forward respectively.

The selection of Downes sees Niall Moran drop to the substitutes bench. The sole surviving member of the 2007 Limerick team that defeated Tipp after an unforgettable trilogy of games, Donal O’Grady, has also been reverted to a more defensive role.

Allen and his team of selectors were fortunate to select from a near full strength squad for this weekend’s clash, with Seamus Hickey unfortunate to miss out following his recent injury setback.

Tipperary named their team late on Thursday night, with manager Declan Ryan under pressure to deliver the goods in this year’s Championship, following a poor league campaign earlier this season.

The return of Thurles man Lar Corbett to the panel in recent days seems to have somewhat reignited the flame back in Tipp – however, there is no room for him in Sunday’s starting team, with Ryan opting to keep the sharp-shooter in reserve.

Donagh Maher makes his first championship start for the men in blue and gold this Sunday, with James Woodlock and Brendan Maher paired in a strong midfield duo.

Up front, the focus will be on the performances of Pa Bourke, Noel McGrath, Eoin Kelly and Brian ‘Buggy’ O’Meara, with the defensive rearguard spearheaded by the ever-reliable Padraic Maher and Michael Cahill.

This promises to be a cracker; however, I feel that although Tipp haven’t been firing on all cylinders thus far this year, I can still see them grinding out a narrow win against what will be a physical and determined Limerick side.

Throw-in at Semple Stadium is at 4pm, and will be shown live on RTE television.

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Stephen Walsh, Richie McCarthy, Tom Condon; Wayne McNamara, Donal O’Grady, Gavin O’Mahony; James Ryan, Paul Browne; David Breen, Conor Allis, Shane Dowling,; Graeme Mulcahy, Kevin Downes, Sean Tobin.

TIPPERARY: Brendan Cummins; Donagh Maher, Paul Curran, Michael Cahill; Thomas Stapleton, Conor O’Mahony, Padraic Maher; James Woodlock, Brendan Maher; Gearoid Ryan, Noel McGrath, Pa Bourke; Eoin Kelly, Brian O’Meara, John O’Brien.