Munster SHC Semi-final replay

Preview: It comes down to that man. Eoin Kelly is injured; the Tipperary midfield pairing of Shane McGrath and James Woodlock are injured. Only the players themselves, Babs Keating and a few trusted lieutenants know the score.

Bottom line in the second paragraph? Despite racking up 1-19 with just a 0-2 contribution from Kelly last week, Tipperary remain hugely reliant on the Mullinahone man.

Keating has rebuilt this side with players like Woodlock, Darragh Egan and Ryan O'Dwyer being called upon to drive them back into the top tier. If they cannot dismiss Limerick at the second time of asking, well, the new era has some way yet to travel.

The loss of full back Paul Curran remains incalculable. With the selection of last week's Limerick saviour Pat Tobin, Andrew O'Shaughnessy moves to the edge of the square, where Declan Fanning will probably be charged with stemming the tide. Otherwise, the calls for Philip Maher's return will become deafening.

But it's at half back that real improvement is required. Eamonn Corcoran, in particular, is due a big performance. Likewise Benny Dunne, who may get the nod at wing forward, while Conor O'Mahony's performance last week should see him play at centre back.

The trio that Keating opts to drop into the full-forward line will also reveal much. Danny O'Hanlon was called up to the panel this week, Micheál Webster is also primed to come in, so a physical option awaits if Kelly doesn't make it or Lar Corbett or Egan fail to ignite.

Taking a positive track, at least there are options.

The cliché about Limerick being a team of underage stars who've failed to realise their full potential has grown old. Manager Richie Bennis even appears to have quelled the mutinous elements within the camp. Now they are a group of hurlers hunting in high summer.

The ability to stay the course last week leaves no doubt about their conditioning. The appetite cannot be questioned either. Nor can their ability.

It's always been a mental problem. What comes next depends on Tipperary's form. What that is remains unclear. At full strength they should progress. Anything less and Limerick can be one game off becoming the story of 2007. Not before time either.

LIMERICK: B Murray; D Reale, S Lucey, S Hickey; M O'Riordan, B Geary, M Foley; P Lawlor, D O'Grady; N Moran, O Moran, M O'Brien; P Tobin, A O'Shaughnessy, B Foley.

TIPPERARY: TBC

Tipperary v Limerick Semple Stadium Saturday, 7pm. On TV: RTÉ 2