The depth of Justin McCarthy's already understrength panel will be severely tested when Limerick take on Offaly in Saturday's All-Ireland SHC phase 2 qualifier in Tullamore (throw-in 7pm).

Nine players in Limerick's selected starting line-up will make their Championship debuts this Sunday when they take on Cork in the Munster SHC semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh (throw-in 4pm).

LIMERICK boss Justin McCarthy has handed out nine championship debuts for Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final against Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and has only been able to call on three of the team that started last August’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat against Tipperary due to the hurling crisis that has raged in the county since the end of last season.

Offaly 2-17 Limerick 3-13

KILKENNY welcome back James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick and TJ Reid from the All-Ireland Club champions Ballyhale Shamrocks for the Allianz NHL Division One clash with Galway at Nowlan Park tomorrow.

Kilmallock clubman Bryan O'Sullivan will captain a depleted Limerick team for their National Hurling League opener against Galway in Kilmallock on Sunday (throw-in 2.30pm).

UCC 0-19 Limerick 2-9

OFF the field, the raging inferno that is the Limerick hurling crisis burns on, yet between the white lines Justin McCarthy is attempting to plough on with the preparation work for the 2010 season.

WITH a second-string side partaking in the McGrath Cup, Cork manager Conor Counihan wheeled out his big guns for the first time this season in a senior football challenge at Mallow on Saturday.

CUSACK PARK, Ennis yesterday saw the completion of as wondrous a hurling rise as can be imagined.

Knockainey 1-11 Bruree 0-11