LIMERICK V KILKENNY

Today (4.30pm): Pairc Ui Chaoimh, J Owens (Wexford)

TG4

IT remains to be seen what effect Kyle Hayes’ two year suspended prison sentence for two counts of violent disorder will have on Limerick’s five-in-a-row bid.

With Hayes also ordered to pay €10,000 compensation to his victim, it’s likely he’ll be put in cold storage until the first round of the Munster Championship in three weeks’ time.

His return to action will be carefully choreographed.

Hayes plays on the edge, and opponents may seek to get a rise out of him, but Limerick will prepare him for that.

No doubt they will also circle the wagons around one of their own and a huge player in their four-in-a-row All-Ireland success.

It might even make them a stronger unit, as strange and unlikely as that sounds.

Having lost three finals on the bounce to Limerick — two All-Irelands and one league — Kilkenny have every incentive to turn it around this afternoon in Cork.

The memory of a tame League final effort last year should spur them on, as well as the final quarter of last year’s All-Ireland decider when they were blown away.

Kilkenny’s defending in the full back line was poor for both Waterford’s goals last weekend and they can’t afford a repeat today.

Limerick are unbeaten this year with a Munster league win, four league wins and a draw.

They were down to 14 men for well over a half against Galway at Salthill last weekend, but reorganised to claim a draw, with Adam English impressing up front.

Diarmaid Byrnes drove over a series of long range frees in familiar fashion as they dug in on Declan’s Hannon’s return to action for the first time since last year’s Munster final.

They didn’t use Hayes, Sean Finn or Darragh O’Donovan, but Limerick are edging close to full strength once again, and this may be the weekend John Kiely fields their best side.

2/5 9/1

H D A

5/2

VERDICT:

Limerick