TJ Ryan ‘tempted’ to blood youngsters against Tipperary

Limerick hurling manager TJ Ryan admits it’s “very tempting” to hand out debuts to some of the new generation of Shannonside hurlers in Sunday’s Munster SHC clash with Tipperary.

Limerick have an All-Ireland-winning U21 team to draw from, and players like Richie English, Diarmaid Byrnes, Tom Morrissey, Barry Nash and Gearoid Hegarty are all in contention to start this weekend in Thurles.

“Obviously the game is very fast, these younger fellas - some of the guys have been around a long time and you can see from other counties’ experience that pace can be an issue, but the younger guys have that in abundance, they’re confident, they’re putting the pressure on, which is exactly what we want.”

Ryan says Limerick have a clean bill of health and will select their team based on form.

“It’s a huge step up and we recognise that. In the in-house games we get to see fellas, and you get a feel for a fella over a number of sessions.

“I know there are fellas out there who’ll be picking teams — that fella should be on, or this fella — but we see these guys night in night out and my opinion is that when the team is announced, I don’t think there’ll be complaints. It’ll be based on the last number of weeks and months, we’ve a lot of training done and the team will be picked on that basis.”

Meanwhile, the Munster Council says that contrary to reports Cork may end up playing Kerry in Pairc ui Chaoimh next year if the stadium is finished on time. Tipperary and Kerry will be seeded in next year’s Munster championship so sources in the provincial council say a Cork-Kerry final on Leeside is a “possibility” if Cork come through.

Here's a little extra sport. Watch the latest BallTalk for the best sports chat and analysis: Good point? Bad point? How can Ireland capitalise on their draw against Sweden and who should start against Belgium?