Limerick call on McCarthy and O'Riordan

Dual player Mark O'Riordan and recent debutant Richie McCarthy will start for Limerick against Antrim in tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC third phase qualifier at Parnell Park (throw-in 7pm).

With Paul Browne, who has a cracked bone in his foot, and ankle injury victim Graeme Mulcahy both ruled out, O'Riordan and McCarthy will replace them at midfield and right corner forward respectively.

They are the only changes manager Donal O'Grady has made to the team that overcame Wexford last Saturday. Mulcahy impressed in front of goal last time out, tallying up 1-4.

Brian Geary will start again at centre-back again having recovered from a slight groin injury, while Sean Tobin, who has been under the weather with 'flu, will be fit to line out at top of the left.

When the Shannonsiders faced Antrim in the Allianz Hurling League in April, young forward Kevin Downes grabbed a hat-trick of goals in a 4-15 to 0-15 victory.

O'Grady reckons his charges will face a much stiffer challenge from the Ulster champions tomorrow night.

"Antrim were missing about five players in the league when we played them and they’ll be much stronger this time," he told the Limerick Leader.

"They make no secret of the fact that they love playing at Parnell Park and they brought Offaly to extra time last year in the Leinster Championship, so they'll be delighted to get us up there and they'll see Limerick as much better option than getting Galway.

"I thought they were very good in the first half against Wexford. Our only focus now is getting over Antrim and if we get out of Parnell Park with a one-point win, then I'll be happy."

If Tipperary beat Waterford in Sunday's Munster final, then Limerick, if they get past Antrim, will be destined to face Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-finals. This is because Limerick have already played Waterford in this year's Championship.

LIMERICK (SHC v Antrim): Nicky Quaid; David Moloney, Seamus Hickey, Tom Condon; Wayne McNamara, Brian Geary, Gavin O'Mahony (capt); Mark O'Riordan, Donal O'Grady; Niall Moran, James Ryan, Declan Hannon; Richie McCarthy, Kevin Downes, Sean Tobin.