Limerick manager Dave Keane remains confident of delivering a third successive Munster title to the county, despite his side having to snatch a late draw with Tipperary earlier this month. For this evening's replay in Thurles (6.30), Keane believes Limerick can only improve.

"I think it was generally a case of not playing well the last day," he says. "There were six or seven positions on the field where we did badly. If we can pick up in some of those areas, we have a good chance."

It took a penalty from Eoin Foley to save them last Thursday week, leaving the final score Limerick 3-9, Tipperary 2-12.

It was deemed a fair result by the 14,560 crowd, as both counties had chances to win. Early on Limerick seemed the more likely winners, with goals from Mark Keane and James O'Brien, though Tipperary fought back, most notably through senior players Eoin Kelly, Lar Corbett and John O'Brien.

The Limerick manager is clear on where Tipperary's greatest threat comes from: "It would have to be their scoring power," he says. "They have three senior players and they all are in the forward line, so that makes for a very strong attack."

Keane will be looking for an improved performance from his own Limerick forward line. Andrew O'Shaughnessy, star of the St Colman's college side, was held to three points the last day - a poor return by his standards. Mark Keane also hit uncharacteristic wides.

Tipperary have decided on three changes, most notably bringing senior footballer Kevin Mulryan in at left half back for Diarmuid Fitzgerald. MacDara Butler replaces Ronan O'Brien at right-half forward, while Pa Morrissey gets the nod at left full forward in place of Eamonn Ryan.

TIPPERARY: D Young; M Maher, P Curran, D Gleeson; T King, J Devane, K Mulryan; E Brislane, S Maher; D Shelly, M Butler, L Corbett; E Kelly, J O'Brien, P Morrissey.

LIMERICK: T Houlihan; D Reale, B Carroll, E Mulcahy; E Foley, P Dwyer, M O'Brien; M O'Donnell, P Lawlor; C Fitzgerald, K Tobin, J O'Brien; A O'Shaughnessy, N Moran, M Keane.