Cian Lynch to make first Limerick start for 10 months

Two-time Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch will return to the Limerick starting line-up for the first time in 10 months after being named in the team to face Clare in the Allianz Hurling League on Saturday night.

After a stellar 2021 campaign, decorated by a sublime man-of-the-match display in the All-Ireland final, Lynch's 2022 campaign ended prematurely after he incurred a hamstring injury early on in Limerick's Munster round-robin victory over Waterford.

The Patrickswell centre-forward appeared off the bench for the final 15 minutes of Limerick's one-point loss to Cork on Saturday night but he's been elevated to the starting line-up for the visit of Clare this weekend, being named at 11.

Peter Casey, another star of the 2021 decider, returns to the starting team at corner forward, while Fergal O'Connor, Micheal Houlihan and Shane O'Brien have all been handed their league debuts by the Limerick management.

Kyle Hayes starts at wing-back, while Nickie Quaid also returns to the side.

Cork, meanwhile, have named their side for the trip to Salthill, with Saturday's match-winner Shane Kingston replacing the injured Robbie O'Flynn in the starting line-up.

Eoin Roche, Cathal Cormack and Sean Twomey all come into the team, with captain Sean O'Donoghue out through a dead leg.

Limerick team (to play Clare): Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Richie English, Fergal O Connor; Colin Coughlan, Dan Morrissey, Kyle Hayes; Darragh O'Donovan, David Reidy; Gearoid Hegarty, Cian Lynch (C), Micheal Houlihan; Shane O’Brien, Seamus Flanagan, Peter Casey.

Cork team (to play Galway): Patrick Collins; Conor O'Callaghan, Eoin Downey, Eoin Roche; Cathal Cormack, Ciarán Joyce, Damien Cahalane; Brian Roche, Tommy O’Connell; Declan Dalton, Conor Lehane, Sean Twomey;