National Forum

Limerick Senior Hurling 2026

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Is it a changing of the Guard?
My take is it is only the white heat of Munster Championship will tell

Southsham (Limerick) - Posts: 753 - 10/03/2026 16:06:47    2660820

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Replying To Southsham:  "Is it a changing of the Guard?
My take is it is only the white heat of Munster Championship will tell"
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: 74 - 10/03/2026 16:35:07    2660824

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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.
Aidan O'Connor and Cathal were brilliant in the half‑forward line with their movement, and they'll really ask questions of opposing defences.
You'd love to see more direct ball going into Gillane and Shane O'Brien - those two will cause sleepless nights for any back line.
There's still a serious panel there. Our full‑back line, and the backs in general, are as mean and solid as ever.

Lk2023 (Limerick) - Posts: 1 - 11/03/2026 11:12:32    2660896

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "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."
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

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Replying To Lk2023:  "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.
Aidan O'Connor and Cathal were brilliant in the half‑forward line with their movement, and they'll really ask questions of opposing defences.
You'd love to see more direct ball going into Gillane and Shane O'Brien - those two will cause sleepless nights for any back line.
There's still a serious panel there. Our full‑back line, and the backs in general, are as mean and solid as ever."
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: 74 - 11/03/2026 13:01:31    2660915

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "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."
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

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Replying To Yadse:  "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"
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

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "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"
I see you are ruling Mikr Casey out of your FB line. I think it will be a FB line of Casey , Dan and Barry. I dont think he will play Cathal and Aidan in half forward line together. I think Cian will be 11, Aidan will be on wing and Heg on other side for the puckouts and his general physicality. Tom is a great option too but im inclined to lean that way atm.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 74 - 11/03/2026 15:31:00    2660934

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "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"
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

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First of all good to see a Limerick hurling thread back up.
It's great talking about the team that will start championship and who will play where but what's more important is the attitude and workrate of the whole team which seems to be back to where it was. The younger players have brought a pace and more movement to the team while the older lads seem fitter and are playing with a pep in their step.

updwell (Limerick) - Posts: 956 - 11/03/2026 20:24:17    2660956

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Think it's a pity Fitzgerald is carrying a knock because he was putting his hand up for inclusion..I'm agreeing on Dan has to be full back and I'd see Mike Casey being in one corner..
I had byrnes written off due to his last 18 months for club and county..donohue looks like the 6 even though he's a loss from midfield..I'd like to have seen o neill at 6..hayes is flying and back to his best..
English and lynch/o neill/donohue/Donovan if he can get back..
I'd say hego,o Connor,gillane,o brien and cast would be 5 of my 6 forwards,you can look then at o neill or lynch as the other forward..
Bring Tom on for last 20 and he,ll score against any tired defence..reidy is also capable of causing damage to tired teams..
Hopefully no more injuries as I feel we will need 24/25 players to get through Munster.
Galway Saturday week will probably see a few more get chance to stake a claim..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2658 - 11/03/2026 22:17:20    2660966

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Replying To updwell:  "First of all good to see a Limerick hurling thread back up.
It's great talking about the team that will start championship and who will play where but what's more important is the attitude and workrate of the whole team which seems to be back to where it was. The younger players have brought a pace and more movement to the team while the older lads seem fitter and are playing with a pep in their step."
I think that, statistically, we are very close to where we used to be. As you state, our work rate and aggression levels are getting back to where they need to be. Our shooting and scoring is back up near there too. We were unbeatable when our scoring was consistently above 30 points per game. We are starting to hit those numbers regularly again. We are vulnerable when it falls below that number. I dont care about wides as long as we continue to hit 30 plus per game. If we do we will go a long way.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 74 - 12/03/2026 11:42:06    2660992

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "I see you are ruling Mikr Casey out of your FB line. I think it will be a FB line of Casey , Dan and Barry. I dont think he will play Cathal and Aidan in half forward line together. I think Cian will be 11, Aidan will be on wing and Heg on other side for the puckouts and his general physicality. Tom is a great option too but im inclined to lean that way atm."
I think Mike Casey will start in the corner and it would be a well deserved start. He brings such energy and aggression whenever he plays and has that bit of mobility that Finn doesn't seem to have but there is very little in it. I think AOC has to start centre forward. He can float around and won't be directly man marked and can score from distance. Half forwards would have to work like trojans and i'm not sure if that's in his locker. With him at centre forward, and hard working CON and Hego left and right i think the balance is good. Casey to play deep. DOD looked like he was in line for a start but now will have to work his way back so i think Cian and Adam will start in the middle. Cian also seems to regularly draw double marking which also dovetails well for AOC as teams know he will pull the strings if he is left loose. Dan will also come in I think as he is rock solid and adds that bit of height.


Nicky Quaid

Casey
Dan Morrissey
Barry Nash

Diarmuid Byrnes
Will O'Donoghue
Kyle Hayes

Adam English
Cian Lynch

Hego
Aidan O'Connor
Cathal O'Neill

Aaron Gillane
Shane O'Brien
Peter Casey

Also, if we do beat Galway and get into a league final I don't think we should fully show our hand against Cork in the final. Giving them another chance to match up against Gillane and Bull is great for them. We should either rearrange some of our players or try out some tactics. We are probably shy an inside forward impact sub, Reidy is more of a starter. Should Hugh Flanagan or Donnacha O'Dalaigh be give chances in the remaining games to see if they are up to it. Who is being thrown on if we need a threat inside with 15 mins to go.

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 471 - 12/03/2026 17:41:54    2661027

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