All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final, Limerick v Tipperary Match Pick...

Limerick will play Tipperary in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final at 3:30pm on Sunday August 16th at Croke Park.

Limerick Manager Justin McCarthy has given the to Ollie Moran at centre forward in place of Wayne McNamara who takes his place on the bench.

In turn, David Breen moves to corner forward with Paul Browne switching to the wing. Elsewhere, Seamus Hickey lines out at right half back with Gavin O'Mahony moving to midfield.

Niall Moran hasn't recovered sufficiently from his broken finger to start but makes the bench.

Limerick Team:
B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, M O'Riordan; S Hickey, B Geary, M Foley; D O'Grady, G O'Mahony; J Ryan, O Moran, P Browne; D Breen, P McNamara, A O'Shaughnessy.


Tipperary have made just one change for this encounter.

Brendan Maher comes into the side at left half-back in place of Conor O'Brien in the only change from the side that beat Waterford in July's Munster final.

The reshuffled defence will see Padraic Maher at full-back, Paul Curran at left corner-back and Maher at left wing-back.

Tipperary Team:
Brendan Cummins, Paddy Stapleton, Padraic Maher, Paul Curran, Declan Fanning, Conor O’Mahony (C), Brendan Maher, James Woodlock, Shane McGrath, Pat Kerwick, Seamus Callanan, John O’Brien, Noel McGrath, Eoin Kelly, Lar Corbett.

The last time these two teams met was in the Munster SHC semi-final (2007) and it took 3 matches to decide which team would go into the Munster final. Limerick won the decider by 0-22 to 2-13. The Treatymen went on the final that year, but lost out to Kilkenny by 2-19 to 1-15. Tipperary, on the other hand, have not been in All-Ireland Final since 2001, which they won by beating Galway 2-18 to 2-15.

Although Tipp are heavy favorites going into this match, the Shannonsiders have gained alot of experience through taking the scenic route to the All-Ireland hurling semi-final and should put it up to Tipp. Since their replay defeat to Waterford in the Munster SHC, Limerick have beaten Wexford, Laois and Dublin. I believe that this will help them get an upset win over their county neighbors. A superb performance from Limerick dual star Stephen Lucey will be key, if they are to pull off this victory upset.

The winners will face defending champions and four in a row chasing Kilkenny in the final on the 6th September.

Paddy Power Match Betting Odds:
Tipperary 1/5
Draw 14/1
Limerick 4/1

Handicap Betting:
Tipperary (-6.0) 11/10
Handicap Draw (-6.0) 12/1
Limerick (+6.0) 5/6


Winner: Limerick

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