LIMERICK entertain Tipperary in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship Final at the Gaelic Grounds this Saturday, 3pm.
Home advantage is a handy plus for the Shannonsiders.
The counties have met twice already in the competition, with Tipp coming through in both the round-robin and provincial final fixtures.
Over the last while, Limerick have improved steadily and were most impressive in the quarter-final and semi-final wins over Clare and Galway, respectively.
Diarmuid Mullin’s team have plenty of lead performers such as goalkeeper Sam Collins, William Ryan at full-back, half-backs John O’Riordan (Bruff), Conor Ryan (Monaleen) and Eoin Hennessy (Patrickswell), mid-field pair Xavier Nelligan (Kilmallock) and Jack Roche (Blackrock), along with forwards Shane Waters (captain, Na Piarsaigh), Rian Horgan (Murroe/Boher), Eamon O’Sullivan (Adare) and Zach Bennis, Kildimo/Pallaskenry.
The Limerick squad also includes the talents of Rowan Collins (Adare), Sam Mitchell (Knockainey), Diarmuid Crowe (Doon), Ryan Foley (Patrickswell), John Murray (Patrickswell), Donagh Horgan (Murroe/Boher), Gavin O’Brien (Kilmallock), DaireLong (Pallasgreen), John Ross O’Reilly (Ballybrown), Jack McCarthy (Ballybrown), Paul Collins (Tournafulla), Cian Hickey (Crecora/Manister) and Colin Burke (Dromcollogher/Broadford).
Others of importance are Callum Butler (Patrickswell), Danny O’Grady (Granagh/Ballingarry), Conor O’Riordan (Kilmallock), Ruán Kelliher (Adare), Brian Halley (Monaleen), Jack Meade (Glenroe), Jack Collins (Monagea), Conor Langan(Monaleen), Danann Glynn (Ahane), Jack Horgan (Newcastle West), Billy Gavin (Ballybrown), Killian O’Neill (Murroe/Boher) and Rocco Walsh, Kilmallock.
Limerick have won the Championship on just three occasions, namely 1940, ‘58 and ‘84.
Tipperary are unbeaten this season, and in their semi easily accounted for Cork at this weekend’s venue.
In this encounter, Chris Dunne bagged 3-5, and will need to be kept under lock-and-key by the home rearguard, as will others like Éanna Tucker, Josh Moroney and Conall Morrisson.
Others of note for the visitors are defenders Daniel Groome and Conor Collins (captain), and midfields Shane Ryan and Hugo Healy.
Attainable victory for Limerick would be a great shot in the arm for the underage set-up in the county.