Muiris Gavin returns to inter-county fold

FORMER limerick senior football captain Muiris Gavin is back in inter-county football.
The Monaleen attacker retired from inter-county football after the 2006 season, but has now decided to try his hand with the county junior side this season.
Gavin is named at full-forward on the Limerick junior team to play Tipperary in the Munster championship on Sunday in Thurles (1pm).
The 32-year-old captained Limerick to the Munster senior football final and the National Football League Division Two final in 2003.
Also that season Gavin was nominated for an All-Star and was named provincial footballer of the year by the Munster Council.
Gavin played at minor and under-21 level with Limerick before making his senior debut in the 1994 championship against Kerry - he played 12 years at senior level with Limerick.
Gavin’s medal cabinet holds three McGrath Cup medals, two county senior football championship medals and one county intermediate hurling medal.
Limerick’s junior team is managed by John Ryan and along with Gavin, a number of other ex-seniors are included - Jason O’Brien and Mike Jones.
The Limerick junior team was named last night after a challenge game against Kerry.
Meanwhile the Limerick senior football team for Sunday’s Munster championship clash with Tipperary will be named after training this evening.
Mickey Ned O’Sullivan and selectors will give fitness tests to defensive colleagues Shane Gallagher and Pa Ranahan before finalising their plans.
Gallagher is suffering with a shoulder complaint and was unable to line out in the team’s final challenge game against Roscommon last Thursday night.
Limerick will be without Stephen Kelly, who suffered a broken bone in his hand while assisting Shannon RFC in rugby’s All-Ireland league final 10 days ago.
For the first championship since 2005 Limerick will have the assistance of dual players Stephen Lucey and Mark O’Riordan.
“We have a few niggling injuries as always, but we would be hopeful that everyone will make it - except, of course, for Stephen (Kelly),” said Mickey Ned O’Sullivan.
Limerick and Tipperary had very different league campaigns - Limerick were relegated from Division Three while Tipperary were crowned champions.
Still the bookies have marked up Limerick as 10/11 favourites with John Evans’ side available at 11/10.
Ahead of Sunday the Munster Council have unveiled a new cost-saving ticket package. By purchasing a ticket package supporters will receive a €10 discount on the admission price.
The package will be available for a charge of €40 and entitle the holder to entry to the football game on May 24 and to the Limerick versus Waterford Munster senior hurling championship semi-final on June 14.

Limerick junior team: Mike Jones; David Finnerty, Ronan Kirby, Eddie Mulcahy; Stephen Fox, Ray Hayes (capt), Jason O’Brien; Mike McMahon, John O’Connell; Derry McCarthy, Pat Donnelly, Trevor Cosgrave; Michael Quilligan, Muiris Gavin, Pa Mullins.

Jerome O'Connell