FLOODLIGHT action returns to the Gaelic Grounds for the first time in an age when Limerick host Galway in Division 1A of the National Hurling League at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday (7.30pm).
Galway, with All-Ireland winning manager Micheál O’Donoghue back at the helm, suffered a bruising defeat from visitors Tipperary in the opening round in Salthill but have recovered admirably with three wins on the spin, over Kilkenny, Clare, and Wexford.
Michael Garvey, Conor Cooney, and Anthony Byrnes were those to have scored well against the Model County at the weekend.
Still very much in the mix for the Westerners are many experienced performers such Pádraic Mannion, Tom Monaghan, David Bourke, and Conor Whelan.
Limerick come into the tie following an unexpected 1-21 to 0-21 loss to previously winless Clare at the same venue on Sunday.
The defeat also came at the cost to Limerick of Diarmaid Byrnes for the time being after he was red-carded by referee Thomas Walsh of Wateford.
After an extended break from the sport, a refreshed Tom Morrissey was introduced for the Shannonsiders in the closing stages.
On his three-month rest late last year, the five-time All-Ireland winner of Ahane commented: “While it is nice to disconnect, it does build up a small bit of hunger that you can’t wait to get back. There was definitely a part of me that was eager to get back into training. I didn’t hold a hurley in that time.”
“But there was another part of me that would have stayed on travelling and enjoying that side of life for a while. But, happy to be back.”
Morrissey is expected to feature from the start in a couple of days’ time.
In the corresponding fixture between Limerick and Galway last season, the teams finished level, 0-17 apiece, at Pearse Stadium.
Limerick are fancied here to bounce back from the unexpected fall to the Banner.
