Flanagan not part of Limerick panel for 2026 as Dowling steps away

Shane Dowling is stepping away from the Limerick set up. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Seamus Flanagan and Shane Dowling will not be part of the Limerick panel in 2026.

Goalkeeper Dowling has chosen to step away after coming on board this past season in the wake of Nickie Quaid’s cruciate injury.

Five-time All-Ireland and 2021 All Star winner Flanagan is not involved having played a smaller role in 2025 when he was internally withdrawn from the panel for one game following an incident involving Cork defender Niall O’Leary in the counties’s Division 1A clash in February.

In the championship, Flanagan appeared as a second-half substitute against Cork and began the dead rubber final round fixture with Clare. He was also a temporary extra-time replacement for Cian Lynch in the Munster final but did not feature in the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Dublin.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner earlier this month, Dowling had not made a decision about his inter-county future as he focused on Na Piarsaigh’s pursuit of a county championship. “That’s a decision I have to make if it isn’t made for me.” It is believed Dowling has since informed manager John Kiely that he wished to step away.

Dowling lines out with Na Piarsaigh against Ballygunner in Sunday’s Munster Club SHC quarter-final in TUS Gaelic Grounds.