A FEW weeks ago we had the US president here, Barack Obama, and he left us with a new catch-cry — Is Féidir Linn.

Managers Davy Fitzgerald and Donal O'Grady have confirmed their starting line-ups for Sunday's Munster SHC semi-final between Waterford and Limerick at Semple Stadium (throw-in 4pm).

GALWAY concluded their championship preparations when a late goal from substitute Eanna Ryan sealed a six-point win at Athenry on Saturday in a game which was played over three 25-minute periods.

Gavin O'Mahoney will captain the Limerick team from full-back in tomorrow's Allianz Hurling League Division 2 final at Cusack Park (throw-in 6.30pm).

THE final round of games in the two top divisions of the Allianz Hurling League this weekend and plenty still to play for.

Limerick 2-09 Clare 0-06, Ennis

CORK manager Denis Walsh has introduced defensive newcomers Stephen McDonnell and Mark Ellis to his team for their Allianz Division 1 Hurling League match with Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday. Glen Rovers player McDonnell gets the nod at right corner-back while Millstreet hurler Ellis will line out at centre-back.

GAVIN O’MAHONY is set to captain the Limerick senior hurlers this season.

A SCRAPPY encounter in this Munster club IHC semi-final in Ballyagran yesterday, but a dominant second-half performance was enough to see Ballymartle qualify for the final against Tipp side Borrisokane in Mallow on Sunday week.

THE Limerick hurling crisis took a sharp twist last night when the 24 disaffected players issued a hard-hitting statement, attacking both Justin McCarthy, their former manager, and their own county board.

EX-LIMERICK captain TJ Ryan last night launched a fierce defence of Limerick’s embattled hurlers, insisting they’re not unmanageable. However, the Garryspillane man said there’s only one resolution to the crippling dispute – Justin McCarthy’s resignation.

FORMER Limerick hurling manager Richie Bennis believes current boss Justin McCarthy must take a huge chunk of blame for the crisis which has gripped the county.

A NUMBER of Limerick hurlers who have quit the county squad have declined to meet with manager Justin McCarthy according to a board spokesperson.

HEADING inexorably down the same rutted briar-ridden cul-de-sac as that travelled by Cork GAA several times over the past decade, that’s Limerick hurling today.

Former captain Damien Reale has stepped down from the Limerick senior hurling panel.

FORMER Limerick hurling captain Damien Reale last night confirmed his decision to quit intercounty hurling claiming he had “to stand up for what I felt was right”.

FORMER Limerick hurler Ollie Moran has blasted Justin McCarthy’s decision to cut 12 players from the 2009 panel describing the development as ‘shameful’.

IT might have been a little too close for comfort at the finish, but nothing could detract from Na Piarsaigh’s achievement in winning through to their first Live95fm Limerick Senior Hurling Championship final at the fourth attempt in the Gaelic Grounds yesterday.

THERE’S a book going to hit your shelves in a few weeks’ time, ‘Unlimited Heartbreak’, by Henry Martin — it should be made compulsory reading for every Limerick hurling supporter.

When it comes to hurling, tears, near misses and misfortune have become a way of life for Limerick — a tragic story now chronicled in a new book, writes Michael Moynihan.

Both Tipperary and Limerick make one change in personnel to their starting 15s for Sunday's All Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final.

Ollie Moran has been added to the Limerick attack for Sunday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final clash with Tipperary (Croke Park, throw-in 3.30pm).

IRRESPECTIVE of how it was accomplished, Limerick qualifying for the All-Ireland hurling semi-final after a topsy-turvy campaign was a notable achievement for Justin McCarthy and his players in Thurles yesterday.

1. Davy Fitzgerald came to this game with a plan.

THANK God for replays!

THIS was the worst Munster championship clash I’ve ever seen, and that’s going back a while.

Limerick 2-14 Waterford 1-13

Clare 4-12 Limerick 1-16, Semple Stadium

AN overreaction to an overreaction, that’s how former Limerick senior hurling captain Damien Reale feels about the six-month suspension handed down yesterday to current Kerry football captain Paul Galvin.

Limerick 0-8 Cork 0-13

Talented Limerick forward James O'Brien has decided to focus on the club scene for 2008 and has withdrawn from the Limerick senior hurling squad ahead of next year's league campaign.

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane didn’t hold back when he took a swipe at the WAGs of Premier League players.

Clare 1-16 Limerick 1-23

Damien Reale will return to captain Limerick in Sunday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Clare (Croke Park, throw-in 2pm).