The Effin man is set to make a remarkable return on Sunday just five months after tearing his ACL
Nickie Quaid has been named to start in goal for Limerick for their Munster Senior Hurling Championship opener against Tipperary in Semple Stadium on Sunday.
Quaid missed the entire Allianz League campaign after rupturing his ACL in November and hasn’t featured for the Treaty since the All-Ireland semi-final clash with Cork last July.
John Kiely has also given starts to Kyle Hayes at centre back, Colin Coughlan at wing back, and Mike Casey is ahead of Dan Morrissey in the full back role.
Will O’Donoghue will partner captain Cian Lynch in midfield, while Adam English will operate at corner forward, with Aaron Gillane and Shane O’Brien beside him. David Reidy starts at centre forward, with Gearoid Hegarty and Cathal O’Neill on either side at wing forward.
Limerick have a strong bench to call on if needed this weekend, with Darragh O’Donovan, Peter Casey, Tom Morrissey and Aidan O’Connor offering experience and quality to the already stacked lineup.
Seamus Flanagan and former captain Declan Hannon are both ruled out of this weekend’s clash.
Sunday is the beginning of the road for the six-in-a-row Munster champions, and a win here will be a massive boost, with games against Cork, Waterford and current Liam McCarthy holders Clare to come.
The Banner host Cork this weekend in Ennis in what is expected to be a mouth watering encounter, with the hopes that this can be half as good as their All Ireland final meeting last summer.
Tipperary vs. Limerick will throw in at 4 p.m. on Sunday in Thurles and will also be shown on the GAA+ streaming platform.
Teams
Tipperary: Barry Hogan (Kiladangan); Robert Doyle (Clonoulty Rossmore), Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs), Michael Breen (Ballina); Joe Caesar (Holycross–Ballycahill), Ronan Maher (C) (Thurles Sarsfields), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross); Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields); Alan Tynan (Roscrea), Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Óg), Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh Eire Óg); Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara), John McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), Jason Forde (Silvermines).
Subs: Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey Borris), Conor Bowe (Moyne Templetuohy), Willie Connors (Kiladangan), Sean Kenneally (Moneygall), Seamus Kennedy (St Mary’s), Brian McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens), Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne Templetuohy), Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields).
Limerick: Nickie Quaid (Effin); Barry Murphy (Doon), Michael Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Barry Nash (South Liberties); Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown); William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh), Cian Lynch (C)(Patrickswell); Gearoid Hegarty (St Patrick’s), David Reidy(Dromin-Athlacca), Cathal O’Neill (Crecora Manister); Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), Adam English (Doon).
Subs: Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Sean Finn (Bruff), Ethan Hurley (Newcastle West), Dan Morrissey (Ahane), Tom Morrissey (Ahane), Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown), Fergal O’Connor (Effin), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen), Darragh O’Donovan (Doon), Paddy O’Donovan (Effin).