Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s side face fellow strugglers Offaly in Tullamore on Sunday (2.30pm) in the knowledge that they can secure their Division 3 status with their fourth win from seven starts.
Such is the tight nature of the league that Limerick could lose against The Faithful men and still survive, while it is also mathematically possible, if improbable, that promotion could be achieved.
The only certainty ahead of Sunday’s final round of games is that Limerick’s championship opponents Tipperary, have secured promotion for the second successive season.
“In theory if we lose we could go down and if we win we could go up - that just shows how close the league is,” said Mickey Ned O’Sullivan this week.
“We know that on Sunday it is backs against the wall - we have to go and get a win.”
Aside from the win in Longford two weeks ago, Limerick’s away record in the NFL is not the best in recent seasons.
“It is such a competitive league and aside from the big defeat in Louth in the first game, we have been competitive in all games and that knits a team together and all those close games shows up our weaknesses. We learned a lot last year in the league for the championship and I am sure that the league will stand to us again this year,” said O’Sullivan, who is in his fourth season at the helm on Shannonside.
“I feel the team is making progress - the type of football is improving.”
Sunday’s pairing in Tullamore have not clashed in competition fare since the 2002 All-Ireland Qualifiers in the Gaelic Grounds, when Liam Kearns’ Limerick were 3-9 to 2-7.
Just like Limerick, Offaly are fighting for survival.
“Six teams are in the same situation in Division 3,” points out Mickey Ned.
“We are making a big effort and are very positive about ourselves,” said the Limerick manager.
The Limerick team for the vital clash will not be named until close to the weekend.
“Its not ideal preparation when you are in a must-win situation,” said O’Sullivan of scheduled county under-21 championship quarter-finals this Thursday night.
Limerick will be without Padraig Browne, who is out of the country. Fellow defender Diarmuid Carroll remains out with an injury, while Jim O’Donovan and Pa Ranahan are carrying slight knocks.
Dual players Mark O’Riordan and Stephen Lucey will be available for selection, while Jason Stokes is back training with the squad. After Sunday, it will be six weeks to the Munster championship quarter-final against Tipperary in Semple Stadium Thurles.
“They have had a wonderful league,” commented O’Sullivan, adding: “championship is different”.
Brian Geary
LIMERICK hurling centre-back Brian Geary will be available for the Munster championship sem-final on June 14 against Waterford. The Monaleen man is to serve just a one month suspension following his red card last Sunday in the league win over The Decies.
Justin McCarthy’s side play Offaly in a challenge game this Saturday ahead of the final round of the league on April 19 in Thurles.
Jerome O'Connell
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