Pain of relegation proved a catalyst for Limerick

THE pain of relegation in the National Football League was the catalyst for Limerick’s Munster senior football championship win in Thurles yesterday, according to manager Mickey Ned O’Sullivan.
Management and players came under fire after relegation to the bottom tier of the NFL, but they bounced back in Semple Stadium on Sunday to book a provincial semi-final against Clare in Ennis.
“The lads knew that they weren’t that bad and they were determined to show what they could do,” explained O’Sullivan in reference to the league relegation.
“Thats part and parcel of being involved in football,” said the manager of the criticism.
He added: “You are going to get stick and you have to turn it into a positive”.
Limerick raced from the blocks and were 1-8 to 1-1 ahead at half time with Tipperary’s goal coming in injury time in the first half as Limerick dominated.
Then all went wrong as the lead was down to two points entering the final quarter.
“That was an outstanding first half – perhaps we were too far ahead at half time, the intensity begins to drop. Tipperary gathered momentum and that is very hard to stop,” surmised the Limerick manager.
“At half time the big danger is to get lads head right because we went in with a similar lead in Kilmallock in the league and within 20 minutes Tipperary had it down so we were very conscious of that.”
Unlike the league loss, Limerick maintained composure for a two-point win.
“In the last 10 minutes they upped the intensity again and showed great level heads,” said the manager.
With Limerick on the backfoot a Stephen Lucey finally opened Limerick’s account 19 minutes into the second half.
“I think that was the most important score of the second half from our point of view – he has great spirit and his lifted the team at the time,” recalled Mickey Ned.
“I thought it was an exceptionally good game if you compare it to last year in Fermoy, which was the worst game in history. It was an excellent game of football, right up to the final whistle.”
Clare now stand between Limerick and a first Munster final since 2003.
“Championship football is championship football – it doesn’t matter the opposition,” said O’Sullivan’s as he dismissed the opinion that Limerick will be favoured.
“Clare will have the advantage – they have had us in their sights for six months, while we had Tipp. They have the benefit of seeing our strengths and our weaknesses. Clare will be very tough –they have had the benefit of dissecting us and looking at us.”

Jerome O'Connell