(Oldest Posts First)
|
Is it a changing of the Guard? Southsham (Limerick) - Posts: 753 - 10/03/2026 16:06:47 2660820 Link 0 |
|
It will be interesting to see who makes it to starting 15 and even 26 come end of April in Cork. A lot of the established players under significant pressure atm which is great. Who will play 3, 6 and 11? Lots of questions still.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 71 - 10/03/2026 16:35:07 2660824 Link 0 |
|
It could well be - the younger lads are definitely stepping into the leadership roles. They scored 3-16 of the 3-19, which is some return from the younger players. It was a great game to be at the other night. The young lads bring serious pace and energy to the team and are really helping to bring the best out of the more seasoned guys. Lk2023 (Limerick) - Posts: 1 - 11/03/2026 11:12:32 2660896 Link 0 |
|
Hard to see Dan not being FB But both CBs slots look wide open between Casey, Finn, and Nash Fitzgerald has been really good, and we might need a bit of pace in our FB line but Kielys style is to blood guys slowly so I think he will be a sub you can see that with O Brien and O Connor who now look like nailed on starters even as promise was there for a couple of seasons If O Donovan is fit then WOD is #6, if O Donovan is not fit WOD is probably #6 - without O Donovan he might be tempted to shuffle between Hayes, Lynch, WOD, O Neill and Nash between half backs and midfield, with English nailed on as other midfielder. Thats the bug questions I think because if O Donovan is fit I think he starts in midfield But its clear he wants WOD as #6 And a good chance that one of Hegarty and Morrissey or maybe both dont start in the half forward line: O Connor has to be there, as with Lynch It might come down to Peter Caseys fitness, because if he is fit then its O Brien, Gillane and Casey in the full forward line with Casey roaming. If Casey is not fit Reidy might play that role, run himself into the ground for 50 minutes and then bring on Tom or Hego. It does look like Kiely is doubling down on the not so young, younger guys like O Brien, O Connor, O Neill and English as been enough of a difference to get us over the line this year. They have been around a while but look like this year they are ready to become key players rather than a support cast. Apart from Fitzgerald none of the other newer players are getting much game time. I think this could be the management teams last year, and maybe they are doubling down on going out in glory and not worried so much about the pipeline for the year after Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 220 - 11/03/2026 12:38:13 2660912 Link 0 |
|
I have to be honest but im not convinced totally on Cathal. I absolutely love his pace, scoring and overall talent on the ball. However he turns over the ball an awful lot and those turnovers are heavily punished. He also doesnt put his body on the line defensively. He tackles with his spare arm always instead and that gets either penalised or , more often, broken through easily. Once they break that tackle they are out and at us. Its not fatal most days but it is in really tight games like last years Munster final.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 71 - 11/03/2026 13:01:31 2660915 Link 0 |
|
I don't believe we have yet seen the best of Cathal O'Neill, he did a hamstring in December 2024 and had a relapse in March 2025 and was never fully fit in 2025. He looks like a different player so far this year, and please god he can stay fit. A lot of players look like they have shed some of the bulk they were carrying last year and their movement is all the better for it. I almost had Diarmuid Byrnes written off last year and in especially after his club championship form but he looks to have come back much fitter this year. LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 223 - 11/03/2026 14:00:41 2660921 Link 0 |
|
I think Mathew Fitzgerald has been the find of the season so far. It looks like he can cover all the back 6 positions (although I'm sure he will be given a good bit of experience before he is ever tried at Full or Centre back). He has put his hand up for a corner back slot big time. Even though he is younger than some of the other new players on the panel I think he is on a fast track into the team and they are giving him as much experience as possible. I feel like if O'Donovan is fully fit he might see action in midfield against Cork or Tipperary (as he would be another line of defence in front of Will O'Donoghue). If we are aiming to play less defensive/structured then O'Donovan could drop out. If O'Donovan does go in, Lynch has to move to the half forwards and both Tom Morrissey and Gearoid could miss out If I was picking my team right now for our first championship match against Cork assuming everyone is fully fit it would be: Nicky Quaid Sean Finn / Mathew Fitzgerald Dan Morrissey Barry Nash / Mathew Fitzgerald Diarmuid Byrnes Will O'Donoghue Kyle Hayes Adam English Darragh O'Donovan Cian Lynch Aidan O'Connor Cathal O'Neill Aaron Gillane Shane O'Brien Peter Casey LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 223 - 11/03/2026 14:22:39 2660926 Link 0 |
|
I think that will be close to our Championship team if everybody is fit I am not sure about Nash's form however, while Mike Casey has looked good. My worry is that a FB line of Finn, Morrissey and Casey might lack a little pace, especially against the Cork forwards, so either Nash or Fitzgerald could step in. If Hegarty doesnt start it will be fascinating to see how he goes as an impact sub. With his strength he could do a lot of damage running at tired defenders. He has been good in spots this year but his starting place must be under threat Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 220 - 11/03/2026 16:41:54 2660942 Link 0 |