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Guide to the 2019 Munster Senior Football Championship

Eoin Cleary (Clare), Iain Corbett (Limerick), Brian Looby (Waterford), Ian Maguire (Cork), Paul Murphy (Kerry), and Conor Sweeney (Tipperary) pictured at the launch of the 2019 Munster Championships.

Eoin Cleary (Clare), Iain Corbett (Limerick), Brian Looby (Waterford), Ian Maguire (Cork), Paul Murphy (Kerry), and Conor Sweeney (Tipperary) pictured at the launch of the 2019 Munster Championships.

Six Munster Senior Football titles in a row have been captured by Kerry, who have set a high standard down south.

Can anybody examine the Kingdom's resolve in the province in 2019? Tipperary and Cork both suffered relegation from Division Two of the Allianz Football League, but were missing several key players through injury.

Clare did retain Division Two status which was satisfactory for Colm Collins' outfit, who will be striving to summon some gritty summer displays now.

Waterford and Limerick both operated in Division Four and are in action this weekend against Clare and Tipperary.

Kerry's Sean O'Shea impressed throughout the Allianz Football League.

Kerry's Sean O'Shea impressed throughout the Allianz Football League.

KERRY

Manager: Peter Keane

Captain: (TBC) Paul Murphy captained Kerry in the Allianz Football League

Fixture: June 1 v Clare/Waterford

League Form: Kerry won six out of their seven Division One games before losing the final to Mayo, who were the only team to beat them in the group stage.

Team news: Peter Crowley's knee injury is a huge setback for Kerry panel loaded with promising talent. Donnchadh Walsh, Darran O'Sullivan, and Kieran Donaghy's retirements ensures significant leaders are no longer involved.

Player to watch: Sean O'Shea

Prospects: Kerry haven't lost a game in the Munster Championship since 2012 winning six titles in a row. It is on the national stage, though, that the Kingdom want to deliver. Manager Peter Keane was content with how the League unfolding as Kerry's mixture of youth and experience blended nicely. Tommy Walsh's return added physical presence to an attack featuring the splendid talent of David Clifford and Sean O'Shea.

Waterford manager Benji Whelan.

Waterford manager Benji Whelan.

WATERFORD

Manager: Benji Whelan

Captain: Brian Looby

Fixture: May 11 v Clare, Cusack Park, Ennis

League Form: Won three Allianz Football League Division Four matches which was hugely satisfying.

Team news: A knee injury to goalkeeper Aaron Beresford has led to a call-up for 46 year old Darren Mulhearne. Darren Whitty and Mulhearne will battle it out to secure the number one jersey.

Player to watch: Dylan Guiry

Prospects: A tough test awaits Waterford, who haven't won a Munster Championship match since 2010, in Ennis. Back then Waterford edged out Clare on a 1-10 to 0-9 scoreline. Benji Whelan, though, was encouraged following an improved Allianz Football League Division Four campaign.

Michael Quinlivan is an accomplished player for Tipperary.

Michael Quinlivan is an accomplished player for Tipperary.

TIPPERARY

Manager: Liam Kearns

Captain: Conor Sweeney

Fixture: May 11 v Limerick, Semple Stadium

League Form: Suffered relegation from Division Two of the Allianz Football League after only accumulating three points.

Team news: Without several key peformers for much of the League Tipperary are reporting a clean bill of health ahead of the Championship. The delightful Michael Quinlivan returned during the spring which was a real positive for the blue and gold.

Player to watch: Conor Sweeney

Prospects: Boosted by the availability of Michael Quinlivan and the enduring excellence of Conor Sweeney, who scored heavily in the League, Tipperary want to make an impact down south. Reaching the All Ireland semi-final in 2016 showed what can be achieved and trying to reach the last eight for the All Ireland Quarter Final Group Phase is a target the Premier County will believe can be attained.

David Tubridy was in great scoring form for Clare during the Allianz Football League.

David Tubridy was in great scoring form for Clare during the Allianz Football League.

CLARE

Manager: Colm Collins

Captain: Gary Brennan

Fixture: May 11 v Waterford, Cusack Park, Ennis

League Form: Clare registered five points in Division Two to preserve their status.

Team news: Keelan Sexton is heading away to the United States of the America for the summer so Clare must plan without a potent forward.

Player to watch: David Tubridy

Prospects: Keelan Sexton's absence is a disappointment for Clare, who relied heavily on the still influential David Tubridy during the League. Gary Brennan continues to supply guile and craft for a Clare outfit that was satisfied to retain Division Two status at Munster rivals Cork and Tipperary's expense. Now in his sixth year in charge Colm Collins knows about the dangers and possibilities which existed in Championship football. Three years ago Clare enjoyed a productive stint to earn an All Ireland Quarter-Final position. That is the company Clare can keep, but the qualifiers loss to Armagh last year was bitterly disappointing.

Limerick manager Billy Lee.

Limerick manager Billy Lee.

LIMERICK

Manager: Billy Lee

Captain: Iain Corbett

Fixture: May 11 v Tipperary, Semple Stadium

League Form: Won two and lost five of their Allianz Football League Division Four games.

Team news: Paul White's injury is a blow for Limerick, but manager Billy Lee believes the depth of the panel is increasing overall.

Player to watch: Seamus O'Carroll

Prospects: It has been a tough spell for Limerick football, but manager Billy Lee remains passionate about trying to improve. Lee is adamant that the Limerick panel is evolving and that progress can be made. A demanding opener awaits Tipperary at Semple Stadium and Limerick will hope to be competitive as they seek to record a first Munster win in seven years.

The exciting Sean Powter is available again for Cork following injury.

The exciting Sean Powter is available again for Cork following injury.

CORK

Manager: Ronan McCarthy

Captain: Iain Maguire

Fixture: June 1 v Tipperary/Limerick

League Form: Won two and drew one of their seven Division Two encounters, but were still relegated.

Team news: Injuries bothered Cork throughout the League, but Sean Powter and Brian Hurley's return to action is encouraging ahead of the summer.

Player to watch: Kevin Crowley

Prospects: Demoralising 2018 Championship losses to Kerry and Tyrone were followed by relegation to Division Three. For the past couple of years unfortunate injuries have impacted Cork hugely and the hope is that a lot of talented performers will be available once more. Sean Powter's dynamism is well documented, while Mark Collins, Paul Kerrigan, and Brian Hurley are capable operators when at full tilt.