Limerick call on O'Dwyer and O'Brien

Paudie O'Dwyer and Mike O'Brien have been given starting spots in the Limerick team for tomorrow evening's All-Ireland SHC Group B qualifier clash with Dublin (Gaelic Grounds, throw-in 7.30pm).

The Shannonsiders' new management team, fronted by Gary Kirby and Richie Bennis, have made two changes to the side that accounted for Offaly by ten points last Saturday.

O'Dwyer, centre back on Limerick's 2002 All-Ireland Under-21 final-winning side, takes over at number 6 from Brian Geary, while former footballer O'Brien replaces Stephen Lucey at midfield.

Assuming Group B table-toppers Clare beat Offaly tomorrow, Limerick will qualify for the All-Ireland quarter-finals with a win against the Metropolitans.

As group runners-up, they would be paired with either All-Ireland champions Cork or recent Leinster winners Kilkenny in Sunday's open draw.

Incredibly, tomorrow's fixture at the Gaelic Grounds will be the first championship meeting between Limerick and Dublin since 1934 when the Shannonsiders won the All-Ireland final replay by 5-02 to 2-06.

LIMERICK (SHC v Dublin) - B Murray; D Reale, TJ Ryan (capt), S Hickey, M Walshe, P O'Dwyer, M Foley; B Foley, M O'Brien; N Moran, D O'Grady, C Fitzgerald; D Ryan, B Begley, A O'Shaughnessy.