John Kiely is trimming his 2023 Limerick hurling squad with a number of familiar faces understood to not be part of his plans for the season ahead.
The four-in-a-row-chasing All-Ireland champions started their Allianz Division 1 HL campaign with a narrow defeat to Cork last Saturday, but Kiely is believed to have cut his panel before the action heats up.
Pat Ryan has three All-Ireland SHC medals to his name having been regularly used as an impact substitute in attack – famously scoring an extra-time goal in their epic 2018 All-Ireland semi-final defeat of Cork – but he is understood to be no longer in the fold.
The Doon forward departed the squad in the middle of last year’s Munster SHC before returning to pre-season training, but the 28-year-old has since been deemed surplus to requirements by Kiely, along with a handful of others.
Robbie Hanley is another who has seen plenty of game-time in recent seasons between league and championship, but the Kilmallock midfielder has also been let go, along with fellow panellists Darren O’Connell, Brian O’Grady and Conor O’Grady.
Meanwhile, Cork boss Pat Ryan is sweating over the fitness of ace attacker Robbie O’Flynn after the Rebel attacker was taken off on a stretcher late on in their victory over the Treaty.
O’Flynn was left writhing in agony after falling awkwardly, with the Erin’s Own forward suspected to have suffered a dislocated ankle, which could see him sidelined until April.
Cork start their Munster SHC round-robin campaign at home to Waterford on April 30, so Ryan will hope to have O’Flynn back before they make their provincial bid.