SEMPLE Stadium in Thurles is the venue for this weekend’s All Ireland under 21 hurling semi finals.
The Bord Gáis Sponsored championships has been one of the highlights of the summer and Limerick have done more than their fair share to add to what is fast becoming a blue riband championship in its own right.
On Sunday, Limerick face Galway at 4pm, (live on TG4) with three in a row Leinster champions Wexford taking on Antrim in the curtain raiser at 4pm. (Also live on TG4)
Limerick manager John Kiely has some injury worries ahead of the game against a strongly fancied Galway side.
Munster champions Limerick have been very impressive in reaching this stage of the competition. They have shown great resolve against both Tipperary in their opening game, having played most of the second half with 14 men, and in the provincial decider against Clare.
Patrickswell’s Kevin O’Brien, who missed the Munster final win over Clare with a hand injury, remains a doubt, while Gearoid Hegarty (ankle) and Robbie Hanley (shoulder) could also miss out.
Galway are somewhat of an unknown quantity as they have yet to play a competitive game at this grade this season.
However they will be buoyed by their senior side’s performance in qualifying for the All Ireland final, while their Intermediate side were also recently crowned All Ireland champions.
Galway senior players Conor Whelan, Cathal Mannion and Jason Flynn aere expected to feature for the Tribesmen, while Limerick’s backroom team of John Kiely, Jimmy Quilty, John Flavin and Ross Corbett have also added Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh), Barry Nash (South Liberties) and Dean Coleman (Doon) to their panel.
Should Limerick be successful on Saturday night, The All Ireland final is set for September 12.
On a social media front, once again viewers will be able to interact and vote for their choice for Man of the Match with the use of the #LaochBGE hashtag.
