A Munster semi-final in ten weeks time adds to the intrigue

TEN weeks ahead of their Munster semi-final in Semple Stadium Limerick and Waterford both seek to end a run of successive defeats when they clash in the penultimate round of the Allianz National Hurling League in the Gaelic Grounds this Sunday (2.30pm).
The June 14 provincial semi-final in Thurles is just one of many sub plots to this Sunday’s NHL encounter. With neither Justin McCarthy nor Davy Fitzgerald opting to announce teams early in the week, it remains to be seen if either county will ‘play it cagey’ on Sunday. While neither may want to show their full-hand a league win is vital for both counties. Limerick enter the game on the back of defeats to Cork and Galway while Wateford have lost to Dublin and Galway in the last two weekends. While a mid-table finish is most likely for both, matamatically, relegation and a spot in the final are possible.


For Limerick manager Justin McCarthy Sunday will bring him back face-to-face with the Waterford players who hastened his departure from The Decies just 10 months ago. Interestingly his departure came after what was the last time that Waterford visited the Gaelic Grounds in their ill-fated Munster championship game against Clare.
On Sunday both McCarthy and the Waterford players would surely like the opportunity get ‘one over on the other’.
The last competitive meeting of Limerick and Waterford will also be to the forefront of the mind of many players.
The occasion was the All-Ireland semi-final of 2007 when Richie Bennis’ Limerick surprised the Justin McCarthy managed-Waterford 5-11 to 2-15 in Croke Park.
Despite the many changes to the Limerick set-up in recent months just three players (Peter Lawlor, Sean O’Connor and Brian Begley) that started that sem-final are no longer part of the inter-county squad. Still though, Justin McCarthy, Brian Ryan and Liam Garvey have made vast changes. The introduction of James Ryan and Denis Moloney to the team in Cork last Sunday brings to 28 the number of players used in the league to date.
Captain Mark Foley and fellow experienced campaigner Ollie Moran are yet to be introduced to competitive fare while sub-goalkeeper Dave Bulfin is another yet to see action.
Limerick and Waterford did not meet in competitive senior action last season, but did clash in the Munster under-21 championship. Current senior selector Liam Garvey was a selector on that underage side managed by Ciaran Carey.
Nine members of that squad are now part of the new-look senior squad.
Clearly, there are many positives from the NHL campaign to date, but confidence comes from wins.
From the outset of the season Justin McCarthy remarked that winning home games was essential to build a bond between the players and their supporters.
Wins over Clare and Dublin have been achieved in the Gaelic Grounds and this Sunday is the final of the home games. Limerick’s failure to secure wins in Kilkenny, Galway or Cork is a worry, but the defeat of Waterford on Sunday will go a long way towards easing any negativity ahead of the final game against Tipperary in Thurles on April 19.

Jerome O’Connell