MAtch Preview Tipperary v Limerick

Sunday, May 27
Munster GAA Hurling Championship Quarter-Final
Tipperary v Limerick, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 4pm

Tipperary and Limerick get the 2012 Munster GAA Hurling Championship underway when they meet at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday.

This will be the 64th Championship meeting between the sides, with Tipperary aiming for a 33rd victory, while 10 games have been drawn.

Two of those draws came in 2007, the last year they met in the Munster Championship, when Limerick eventually triumphed after a second replay, and an epic trilogy of games, in their Munster Championship semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds.

In the All-Ireland series, the sides last met in the 2009 All-Ireland semi-final, a game Tipperary won by 6-19 to 2-7 thanks to a hat-trick of goals from Lar Corbett, who returns to the Tipperary panel on Sunday after taking a break from the game.

Remarkably, Limerick’s dramatic 2007 triumph was the only game they have won in their last 16 Munster Championship appearances, although they have drawn on five occasions in that period. Limerick’s last win away from the Gaelic Grounds came all the way back in 2001 with away victories over Cork and Waterford.

Limerick, therefore, go in as massive underdogs against the reigning Munster champions, who are playing on their home patch and are seeking a fourth Munster title in five years. Limerick’s last Munster title came back in 1996.

Limerick’s Allianz League campaign was bookended by defeats to Clare, the latter, in the Division IB final, meaning they will once again play in the second tier in 2012.

Speaking this week, Limerick manager John Allan believes his side are at a disadvantage as a result.

"It's very hard to gauge where we are at, given that we weren't playing in the 'A' division. We have played Dublin and Galway in challenge games, we did beat Dublin. Dublin were understrength, as we were ourselves against Galway.

"In terms of training, it has been very good, there is a very good work ethic, a good atmosphere and our inter-house matches are very good. I'd be happy enough that we are in a good place."

The return of Corbett to the Tipp squad, though, has changed the mood in the Premier County from one of doom to one of genuine optimism ahead of the summer campaign.

Although Corbett is unlikely to play any part against Limerick, his presence at training alone is likely to have raised spirits in Declan Ryan’s camp. In a further boost, Eoin Kelly, Seamus Callanan and Patrick Maher are all back from injury, while Adrian Ryan is ruled out.

For Limerick, Seamus Hickey is ruled out with a broken elbow. Nineteen-year-old forward Declan Hannon is available but will not start having missed most of the season to date with a groin problem.

The winners play Cork in the Munster Championship semi-final on June 24.

Limerick (SH v Tipperary): N Quaid: S Walsh, R McCarthy, T Condon; W McNamara, D O’Grady, G O’Mahony; P Browne, J Ryan; D Breen, C Allis, S Dowling; G Mulcahy, K Downes, S Tobin.

Tipperary (SH v Limerick): B Cummins; D Maher, P Curran, M Cahill; T Stapleton, C O’Mahony, P Maher; J Woodlock, B Maher; G Ryan, N McGrath, P Bourke; E Kelly, B O’Meara, J O’Brien