Mickey Ned hopes to select from a full squad

THE Limerick senior footballers hope to select from a full squad for next month’s Munster senior football championship final - the Munster Council have confirmed at 2pm start for the provincial SFC final in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on July 5. The decider will be televised live on TV3.
Mickey Ned O’Sullivan reports no late injury worries after his panel played challenge games against Galway and Tipperary in the past week.
“At the moment, yes we will be picking from a full panel. Everything is grand, there are always a few niggling injuries, but nothing serious,” confirmed the Limerick senior football manager.
He added that Stephen Kelly is back in full training and available for selection after missing the championship victories over Tipperary and Clare with a broken bone in his hand.
“Everyone is showing up well in training because they all know that it is a great opportunity to play in a Munster final,” said Mickey Ned O’Sullivan.
The history books show that Limerick will be playing in just an 11th Munster SFC final and looking for a second title to add to that of 1896. In comparison, Cork have won 35 Munster titles and are the defending champions.
“It is all in the melting pot,” said Mickey Ned, who hopes to bring his Limerick panel to Cork this weekend for a run out in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
“We are in no doubt that we are playing a Cork team that are some people’s favourites to win the All-Ireland,” said the Kenmare man.
“They showed up very well against Kerry. At the end of the day this final is between a Division Four team against a Division One team”.
Ahead of Sunday week’s final, the bookies have made Cork 1/12 favourites while Limerick are listed at 6/1.
“We know that we are the underdogs and we don’t mind, but I always say that football is played on the pitch.”
Last year’s clash of the sides in the semi-final is a cause of great confidence for the Limerick footballers.
That game in the Gaelic Grounds finished 0-12 to 2-9, but the home side were 0-12 to 0-9 ahead as the stopwatch ticked into the final minute of the 70 - then two goals inside 60 seconds snatched a most undeserved win for The Rebels.
“Cork have improved a lot since,” said Mickey Ned.
“We are preparing for a big challenge.”
Tickets for the Munster final have been distributed to the clubs of the county.
Tickets will cost €35 for adults to the uncovered stand, €30 for adults to the covered stand and €20 to the terrace.

Jerome O’Connell