Limerick hope three is magic number

Limerick have made three changes in personnel from the team which lost to Galway for Sunday's All-Ireland hurling quarter-final against Kilkenny at Croke Park.

Michael Clifford, Paudie O'Dwyer and Donal O'Grady are replaced by Damien Reale (back after injury), James O'Brien and Michael Cahill, who will start in this season's championship for the first time.

Niall Moran switches to midfield in place of the injured Donal O'Grady and, interestingly, Andrew O'Shaughnessy starts at left corner forward for the first time in this season's competition. He had previously played in the half-forward line.

Brian Cody will not name a Kilkenny team until the weekend due to a number of concerns to Peter Barry, Martin Comerford and Jackie Tyrell. Full back Noel Hickey is already out.

Meanwhile, Cork football manager Billy Morgan will select a team today ahead of the fourth round qualifier against Sligo this Saturday afternoon in Portlaoise.

Little change is expected, although Morgan may opt to promote Brendan Jer O'Sullivan and fit again Philip Clifford.

Dom Corrigan's surprise packages Sligo will name their team tomorrow night. The fact that Sligo have made it to this stage is astonishing considering their form earlier in the season.

Corrigan only arrived late due to his commitments as manager of Tyrone champions Carrickmore, but since losing to Leitrim in the Connacht championship they have beaten Longford, Kildare and Clare.

"It didn't go well for us initially, but we have coped well with what was put in front of us during the qualifiers," said Corrigan. "We are certainly looking forward to the game even if we are rank outsiders."

Both Mayo and Cavan - who meet in the other fourth round qualifier this Saturday in Dr Hyde Park - will also select teams tomorrow. Mayo defender Keith Higgins is back training after fracturing his elbow, but Conor Moran is a new concern with a leg injury.

Tonight's Tipperary team is unlikely to include Lar Corbett, who is struggling with a pulled hamstring, or John Carroll, who has a broken finger.

Their opponents Galway have problems of their own with Eugene Cloonan and Kevin Broderick both out, but they still select tomorrow.

LIMERICK(SH v Kilkenny): T Houlihan; D Reale, S Lucey, M Foley, O Moran, B Geary, P Lawlor; P O'Grady, Niall Moran; D Ryan, J O'Brien, M Cahill, P Kirby, TJ Ryan, A O'Shaughnessy.