How do you get sellout in June?
You put Tipperary and Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds for a Munster hurling semi-final and let the rest take care of itself.
The neighbours clash this Sunday and ahead of the game we’ve taken a look on what the offspring of the finest stickmen from the banks of the Suir and the banks of the Shannon would have to offer.
Here’s our combined 15 of the two – a dream team, if you will.
Goalkeeper: Darren Gleeson
Gleeson has taken over the mantle left by Brendan Cummins in some style and despite Limerick’s history of producing top quality goalkeepers over the years we have to go for the current All-Star over Nicky Quaid.
Right corner-back: Michael Cahill
Injury robbed him of sharpness in last year’s championship, but arguably the country’s best defender outside of Kilkenny. Stephen Walsh just misses out, more on inexperience rather than pure hurling.
Full-back: Ritchie McCarthy
Controversial choice after Shane O’Donnell took him to the cleaners last time out in Munster. Normally reads the game very well and his role here frees up our centre-back slot for Paudie Maher.
Left corner-back: Seamus Hickey
Outstanding defender and a massive leader. Pure passion and led from the front against Clare. Had to fight Cahill for the jersey.
Right wing-back: Cathal Barrett
Young Hurler of the Year and can only get better. With Cahill behind him he would have chance to do his best Tommy Walsh impression and get involved more in all-round play. Seanie O’Brien misses out.
Centre-back: Pauric Maher
Full back was an option, but we want the Thurles man closer to the heart of the action around centre-field. Best centre-back in the game now that Brick Walsh is forward. Teak tough.
Left wing-back: Paddy Stapleton
He’s normally a corner-back but the defender would be freed up by a move to the wing.
Strong defensively but not given enough credit for his distribution, he has been a key player for every Tipperary manager since his debut in 2007.
Midfield: James Woodlock and Paudie O’Brien
Woodlock has one of the best engines in the game and his workrate as well as his runs from deep have been crucial to dozens of Tipp scores.
O’Brien had a poor club final in March but was a massive presence against Clare as Limerick swept up a huge amount of ball.
Right wing-forward: Patrick Maher
Almost won the All-Ireland on his own last year until Paul Murphy was detailed to man-mark him. A huge goal threat and an excellent man to also disrupt a half-back line from clearing ball. Donal O’Grady shouldn’t have too many complaints.
Centre-forward: Brendan Maher
Could have been our centre back he gets the nod at 11 simply for his hurling brain and his ability to disrupt a centre-back. Not a massive scoring threat but his skill and ability to link play make him more of a weapon than Paul Browne.
Left wing-forward: Declan Hannon
What team could afford to be without this man, who despite being only in the senior panel for four years is already their key forward. Underage promise has been fulfilled at senior level.
Right corner-forward: Shane Dowling
Another man who Limerick rely on so heavily but pressure does not affect him. Noel McGrath’s injury gives us the option of picking a man who scored 0-11 against Clare. Radar can sometimes be off but looks to have settled down this season. Potential to be all-time Limerick great.
Full-forward: Seamus Callanan
Simply unmarkable, even JJ Delaney struggled with him last season. Hurler of the year if Tipperary had beaten Kilkenny, he is almost a footballer physique in a hurlers body. Devastating from fifty yards in.
Left corner-forward: Cian Lynch
Controversial call here but the potential of this young man has been flagged with several years. Every team needs a carefree spirit and Lynch has it in spades. We love his attitude and already has the chance to stake a claim to owning this summer. Doesn’t care about reputation.
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