Against the All-Ireland champions, in the Guinness Munster championship in Thurles tomorrow, Limerick's manager Eamonn Cregan brings in four debutants to go with the two from last year. It represents a brave policy of rebuilding on the run, initiating young players and hoping the experience stands to - rather than destroys - them.

If Cregan is to succeed it requires a below-par display from Cork and the majority of Limerick's selections to click on the day. It's hard to see such a happy confluence working out, particularly in the central positions.

Ciaran Carey returns for his first competitive inter-county match of the year and is named at centre forward. He is pitched in against Brian Corcoran, presumably in the hope that he can discomfit the reigning Hurler of the Year. Although Carey has been in fine form in challenge matches, there has to be a question mark over his match fitness and also his willingness to stay on top of Corcoran rather than go roaming for the ball.

At full forward Brian Begley scored well during the regulation league matches, but was less effective in the semi-final against Philip Maher. His willing, physical game looks cut out for Diarmuid O'Sullivan. Should Cork's central defence get on top of ball a hard rain's going to fall on the Limerick defence.

Newcomers in attack Mark Keane and James Butler have excelled at times, but in the moderately tight confines of the league semifinal, they seemed to struggle.

Ollie Moran played well at times against Tipperary. He is a good striker of the ball and won't mind doing aerial combat with Fergal McCormack, but if Cork decide to make adjustments and fly the sliotar beneath the radar, how will Moran cope on the ground?

At full back TJ Ryan has played skillfully, getting out in front of his man and tidying up well. The problems for him arise in other aspects of the game. Will he be a tight enough marker to cope with Joe Deane? On either side of him, Stephen McDonagh is recovering form in the right corner, but Stephen Lucey represents a gamble in the left. An eyecatching Fitzgibbon full back, will he be fast enough for the corner?

There are positive aspects for Limerick in the morale-raising league run and Cregan's good record in maximising their championship performances. But ranged against all the misgivings, they don't seem sufficient.