Their availability after an almost two-year absence from the hurling squad has been hastened by the footballers’ non-involvement in competitive action until they open their championship campaign in June.

It follows a recent meeting between new hurling manager Joe McKenna and his football counterpart Liam Kearns to resolve the long-standing dual player controversy.

Both players will also continue to be available for football selection.

David Breen and Ciaran O’Dwyer, who both made their debuts against Antrim last time out, drop to the bench, as does All-Ireland Under 21 medallist Andrew O’Shaughnessy.

Andy Moloney gets his first start of the season for the Decies following an injury to Paul O’Brien.

The Ballygunner club man has been named at right half-forward. All Star Dan Shanahan has been named to lead the attack, despite picking up a facial injury during midweek training. If the Lismore man is unable to line out, Eoin McGrath will deputise.

Dave Bennett and Declan Prendergast are both struggling with injury, but manager Justin McCarthy has named the duo on the bench.

Antrim are also in the relegation shake-up and they host Laois at Casement Park.

Manager Dinny Cahill won’t name his starting line-up until today due to injury doubts over Karl McKeegan, Ciaran Herron and Johnny McIntosh.

McKeegan and Herron are struggling with hamstring injuries, while McIntosh has a groin strain.

However, Cahill has been boosted by the return of midfielder Jim Connolly, who had been expected to retire, but has had a change of heart.

Laois boss Paudie Butler has made one enforced change for the trip up north.

Damien Culleton sustained a hamstring injury during the clash against Galway last time out and his place in the half-forward line is taken by Joe Phelan.

Dublin manager Humphrey Kelleher has made four changes to his line-up for today’s visit to Ballycran to take on Down.

Philip Brennan, Derek O’Reilly, Michael Carton and Dave Sweeney all return from injury to take their places in the starting fifteen.

Cathal Billings, Greg Bennett, Fergal Chambers and Jonathan Kingston drop to the bench.

Gerald O’Meara moves from the middle of the field to the half-forward line, while David Curtin moves from half-forward to top of the left.

Down have been boosted by the return of star attacker Paul Braniff following 11 months on the sidelines.

The Portaferry man has been named at centre-forward after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury he picked up last May.

Gary Savage returns to the heart of the defence, Simon Wilson moves to left half-back with John Doherty dropping to the bench. Liam Clarke, who missed the last two rounds because he was away on honeymoon, comes in at right corner-back for Andrew Bell.

LIMERICK (SH v Waterford): T Houlihan; S Lucey, TJ Ryan, M Foley; P O’Dwyer, O Moran, B Geary; P O’Grady, D O’Grady; A O’Connor, J O’Brien, N Moran; D Ryan, S O’Connor, C Fitzgerald.

WATERFORD (SH v Limerick): S Brenner; T Feeney, F Hartley, D Coffey; T Browne, J Murray, E Murphy; M Walsh, B Phelan; A Moloney, D Shanahan, E Kelly; P Flynn, S Prendergast, J Mullane.

LAOIS (SH v Antrim): P Mullaney; B Campion, P Cuddy, M McAvoy; J Fitzpatrick, S Dwyer, P Mahon; J Young, J Walsh; J Phelan, J Rowney, C Coonan; L Tynan, M Rooney, T Fitzgerald.

DOWN (SH v Dublin): Graham Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, P Hughes; Gabriel Clarke, G Savage, S Wilson; P Monan, G Adair; J McCusker, P Braniff, B McGourty; M Coulter, G Johnson, S Clarke.

DUBLIN (SH v Down): G Maguire; P Brennan, T Russell, S O’Shea; K Elliott, S Daly, Derek O’Reilly; C Meehan, M Carton; G O’Meara, S Hiney, D Sweeney; E Carroll, M Breathnach, D Curtin.