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.

Limerick 1-14 Cork 2-21

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.