THE LIMERICK senior hurlers return to championship action this Sunday. TJ Ryan’s men face Westmeath at 2pm in Cusack Park, Mullingar.
Limerick, who are massive favourites for this game, have a decision to make come team selection time. Does TJ Ryan allow the players who under performed against Tipperary, one more go? Or does the Garryspillane club man make wholesale changes to the side in the hope that steady competition for places will drive the team on for the next round which would take place the following weekend?
Speaking after the Tipperary defeat, Ryan did hint that personnel changes will be made.
“When you get a beating like this there has to be changes,” said Ryan, who has Seanie Tobin (suspension) and Nicky Quaid (shoulder) back in contention this weekend.
Westmeath, the home side, may well be under dogs on Sunday, but they have shown signs of progress already this season. Wins over Carlow and Antrim in the Leinster qualifier group saw them exit the championship proper after an 8 point defeat to Wexford. Sunday will be Westmeath’s fifth championship game of the summer and they will be looking to emulate the performance of their footballers last weekend who defeated Meath for the first time in their history.
A win, which is expected for Limerick, on Sunday would see them qualify for the next round of the championship where they will face one of the winners of round two on the weekend of July 11/12 .
Limerick would play Laois/ Dublin, Wexford/Cork or Offaly/ Clare. However, should Clare win, Limerick and Clare could not face each other as that clash has already taken place this summer.
In other GAA news, the Limerick minor hurling team take on Cork this Thursday night July 2, in the Munster Minor Hurling semi final. Throw in at the Gaelic Grounds is at 7.30pm, with extra time to be played, if necessary.
The winners will qualify for the Munster Final on July 12 against Tipperary. Limerick the reigning champions are seeking a third minor title in a row and their eight overall.
