Hurlers renew rivalry with Tipp

LIMERICK’S clash with Tipperary in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday (2.30pm) has the makings of a very spicy soup indeed. Some will argue that there’s little of material worth to play for in the final round of the Allianz National Hurling League, but there’s always something to play for when the opportunity presents itself to write another chapter in the most parochial GAA conflict of them all.


Although their last meeting (Tipperary won 2-20 to 2-9 in Thurles during last year’s league) was entirely forgettable games between these two neighbours, for the past five years at least, have captured the imagination of the entire country.
Limerick have faced down Tipperary ten times in the past five years and although the Shannonsiders have won only two of those encounters, drawn four and lost four they can still boast a win from their last championship meeting - Limerick, unforgettably, saw off Tipp 0-22 to 2-13 after three extraordinary games in 2007.
Limerick progressed to the 2007 All-Ireland final and although they were expected to push on from there in 2008, for one reason or another, they failed to do so.
Media Cassandras then suggested that this current bunch of Limerick hurlers were ‘finished’. The task of pin-pointing Limerick’s self-destruction last year has weakened many a stout heart on Shannonside and has been exasperated by Tipp’s progress during the intervening period - while Limerick languished in the doldrums Tipperary went on to win both the league and Munster championship.
Limerick need a good performance against Tipp and, perhaps, they even need to win the game. That would leave the Shannonsiders in promising shape for their championship meeting with Waterford and since the Tipperary panel spent the past week or so in La Manga training three times a day winning this game is not beyond Justin McCarthy’s men. Tipp will be hot favourites for the game, but, at times, life as an underdog can be fun.
Although pub discussions are by nature whimsical they remain an accurate barometer of that which occupies the minds of hurling people.
The make-up of Justin McCarthy’s starting team for June 14 occupies the minds of Limerick supporters and it’s hard to blame them. Justin McCarthy, after all, doesn’t give away much.
So what have we learned from the league campaign?
Well, McCarthy has employed the services of 28 different players thus far. Since the following men have featured in all six games it would appear likely that they will find themselves starting against Waterford - Brian Murray, Damien Reale, Stephen Lucey, Stephen Walsh, Seamus Hickey, Paul Browne, Andrew O’Shaughnessy and David Breen have started all six games while Gavin O’Mahoney has started five and found himself introduced as a substitute on one occasion.
Patrickswell’s Brian Murray looks certain to start in goal. Damien Reale and Stephen Lucey have cemented their positions in the full-back line while Tom Condon, Mark O’Riordan and Stephen Walsh have all been tried in the left corner.
Four players have been employed in the half-back line thus far. Brian Geary has hurled at centre-back for four consecutive games now while the Monaleen man has been accompanied by Stephen Walsh and Gavin O’Mahoney with glaring regularity. Seamus Hickey has, of course, occupied the wing on four occasions, but McCarthy has moved the Murroe-Boher man out to midfield for the past two games. With Hickey prospering in that role the battle for five and seven looks to be down to a straight fight between Walsh, O’Mahoney and, of course, Adare’s Mark Foley.
Donal O’Grady is an automatic choice for one of the midfield berths while Seamus Hickey looks the strongest candidate to accompany the Granagh-Ballingarry man. Paul Browne started four games in this sector, but it looks as if he will miss out.
Once fit it will be hard to look beyond Ollie Moran at centre-forward. Mike O’Brien played there three times in the league while James O’Brien, Jim Ryan, Bryan O’Sullivan and Niall Moran also enjoyed an opportunity to show McCarthy what they had to offer. Niall Moran, scoring an impressive 3-29 thus far, looks likely to accompany his brother Ollie in the half-forward line which leaves Mike O’Brien the most likely candidate for right half-forward.
Andrew O’Shaughnessy and David Breen have started every league game and so that leaves the left corner-forward position open. Richie McCarthy, Donie Ryan and Pat Tobin have all enjoyed stints there with Tobin starting the last two games at 15.

Brian McDonnell