Limerick fully fit for Galway clash

AFTER a three-week break Justin McCarthy’s Limerick senior hurlers resume National Hurling League action when they visit Galway’s Pearse Park this Sunday (2.30pm).
Captain Mark Foley has returned to training, but is not expected to start on Sunday. All squad members are reported fit, except Ollie Moran and Mike Fitzgerald, who are training on their own at present and are to join the squad at a later date.
With Tipperary remaining the only undefeated side in Division One all remains very congested.
The next two rounds of fixtures should apply some shape to the league table and determine who could be in the shake up for the top two places and a spot in the league final.
Sunday will offer another opportunity for McCarthy and selectors, Liam Garvey and Brian Ryan, to run the rule over their new-look side which is likely to see a number of new players get match-time in the coming weeks.
Twenty six players have seen league action to date - Doon duo Denis Moloney and Mike Fitzgerald, Adare duo Mark Foley and Donncha Sheehan, Kilmallock duo Eoin Ryan and Philip O’Loughlin, Monaleen’s Damien Cosgrave, Ahane’s Ollie Moran are yet to see competitive action.
While Limerick have had no competitive action since the win over Dublin, the Galway players have had plenty hurling. Two weeks ago they lost to Kilkenny in a game which saw manager John McIntyre come out strongly against his players in post-match interviews. Last weekend the Galway players travelled to Dubai where Connacht lost to Leinster in the Martin Donnelly sponsored interprovincial hurling final.
While the Tribesmen have only a win over a depleted Cork to their credit, the county was boosted on St. Patrick’s day when Portumna (with Limerick native Garrett Heagney at wing-back) won their third All-Ireland club title in four years. Limerick hurling followers will be more than happy if Portumna’s Joe and Ollie Canning and Damien Hayes were to postpone their return to maroon of Galway until after this weekend.
All in Limerick will still remember last year’s league clash in the Gaelic Grounds when Galway eased to a 2-24 to 1-16 win - that was also a game played within a week of Portumna winning an All-Ireland club title and they didn’t feature with the then Ger Loughnane managed side.
Sunday’s trip to Salthill is the first of three week’s of successive NHL action for Limerick.
On March 29, Limerick travel to Pairc Ui Chaoimh to face a rejuvenated Cork in their first home game since the resignation of Gerald McCarthy and then on April 5, Waterford will visit the Gaelic Grounds in a championship dress rehearsal.

Jerome O'Connell