Finn and Flanagan return for Limerick, Clare keep Shanagher in reserve and the Cats unchanged for All-Ireland semi-final

Clooney Quin's Ryan Taylor makes a welcome return to the Banner panel for Kilkenny clash.

FINAL FOUR: Seamus Flanagan of Limerick poses for a portrait with the Liam MacCarthy at Spanish Point in Clare. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Seán Finn and Seamus Flanagan have returned to the Limerick team for Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final clash with Cork.

One change is enforced, the other appears tactical as Finn replaces injured Barry Nash (hamstring) and fit-again Flanagan comes in for Shane O’Brien, who impressed in the Munster final win over Clare.

Flanagan missed the provincial decider with a hamstring strain in the final round victory over Tipperary and O’Brien is held in reserve as is midfielder Darragh O’Donovan.

All but Nash started May’s loss to Cork in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Mike Casey is the difference this time around. Of the side that began the 16-point All-Ireland final win over Cork in 2021, there are 12 starters. Mike Casey, Cathal O’Neill and David Reidy are the alterations from that game when Nash, O’Donovan and Peter Casey were starters.

Clare’s starting 15 and bench for tomorrow’s All Ireland Semi Final .
We’re behind ye boys … 🟡🔵🟡 Up the Banner ! pic.twitter.com/UfsXMskGsY

— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) July 5, 2024

Aidan McCarthy has been named to start in the Clare team announced to face Kilkenny in Saturday’s semi-final against Kilkenny, meanwhile.

McCarthy was dropped for Aron Shanagher for the quarter-final win over Wexford but could begin in Croke Park, while Ryan Taylor makes a welcome return to the matchday squad after his cruciate tear.

Clare have made late changes to their team for the last two semi-finals against Kilkenny. Should this side begin, it will have 12 of the one that was in the off in last year’s last-four defeat to the Cats and also a dozen of the team that started April’s Division 1 final win over Kilkenny.

Kilkenny are the only one of the four All-Ireland semi-finalists to stick with the same starting 15 from their previous championship outing.

Derek Lyng goes with the same personnel that were there for throw-in against Dublin in their comprehensive Leinster final triumph.

Mikey Carey came off injured in the first half of that game but is included from the beginning as are Paddy Deegan and John Donnelly who have endured hand injuries in recent weeks. Ballyhale Shamrocks’ pair Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody both missed parts of the provincial campaign but are included.

The Cats go with all but two of the side that commenced last year’s All-Ireland semi-final win over Clare. Conor Fogarty and Tom Phelan, who are among the substitutes, are replaced by Carey and Cian Kenny.

Eleven of the team that started the Division 1 final defeat to The Banner are in from the off. Shane Murphy, Jordan Molloy, Luke Hogan and Billy Drennan are missing and playing on Saturday are Mikey Butler, Carey, TJ Reid and Martin Keoghan.

The Clare side to face Kilkenny in tomorrow’s All Ireland Senior Hurling Semi Final has been named .
Throw in at Croke Park is at 3:00pm.
Up the Banner 💪🟡🔵🟡 pic.twitter.com/M44rwQDKxI

— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) July 5, 2024

CLARE (SHC v Kilkenny): E. Quilligan; A. Hogan, C. Cleary (c), C. Leen; D. Ryan, J. Conlon, D. McInerney; D. Fitzgerald, C. Malone; T. Kelly, M. Rodgers, P. Duggan; A. McCarthy, S. O’Donnell, D. Reidy. 

Subs: C. Broderick, R. Hayes, P. Flanagan, C. Galvin, D. Lohan. R. Taylor, I. Galvin, A. Shanagher, S. Meehan, K. Smyth, S. Rynne.

KILKENNY (SHC v Clare): E. Murphy; M. Butler, H. Lawlor, T. Walsh; D. Blanchfield, R. Reid, M. Carey; C. Kenny, P. Deegan (c); A. Mullen, T.J. Reid, J. Donnelly; M. Keoghan, B. Ryan, E. Cody.

Subs: A. Tallis, C. Delaney, S. Murphy, J. Molloy, C. Buckley, C. Fogarty, T. Phelan, W. Walsh, O. Wall, C. Heary, G. Dunne.

LIMERICK (SHC v Cork): N. Quaid; S. Finn, D. Morrissey, M. Casey; D. Byrnes, D. Hannon (c), K. Hayes; W. O’Donoghue, C. O’Neill; G. Hegarty, C. Lynch, T. Morrissey; A. Gillane, S. Flanagan, D. Reidy.

Subs: J. Gillane, C. Boylan, C. Coughlan, A. English, R. English, G. Mulcahy, S. O’Brien, A. O’Connor, F. O’Connor, D. Ó Dalaigh, D. O’Donovan.

CORK (SHC v Limerick): P. Collins; N. O’Leary, E. Downey, S. O’Donoghue (c); T. O’Mahony, R. Downey, M. Coleman; C. Joyce, D. Fitzgibbon; D. Dalton, S. Barrett, S. Harnedy; P. Horgan, A. Connolly, B. Hayes.

Subs: B. Saunderson, D. Cahalane, G. Millerick, T. O’Connell, L. Meade, E. Twomey, C. Lehane, J. O’Connor, S. Kingston, P. Power, R. O’Flynn.