Footballers re-focus their attention on the All-Ireland qualifiers

PLAYING competitive football in the month of August for the first time in modern championship history is now the carrot for the Limerick senior footballers.
Mickey Ned O’Sullivan re-grouped his charges this Wednesday night and they will train again on Friday night as they bid to overcome the heartbreak of last Sunday’s Munster championship final defeat.


Unlike the other provincial final defeats of this decade, Limerick have three weeks before they enter the qualifier system and already Mickey Ned, Donie Buckley, Joe Redington and Paddy Ivess are working towards their round four date on July 25.
Back in 2003 and 2004, Liam Kearns’ side had just a turn-around of one week and they subsequently fell to Armagh (2003) and Derry (2004) in Roscommon’s Hyde Park.
Two rounds of the qualifiers remain before Limerick will find out their opposition in the round four draw on Sunday evening, July 19.
The big name possibilities are Kerry, Derry, Monaghan and Donegal along with Down, Laois, Longford, Wexford, Roscommon, Tipperary, Sligo, Clare, Westmeath, Meath, Wicklow and Cavan.
Eight qualifier games take place this Saturday and the eight winners will play the following weekend to determine the four that will face the four beaten provincial finalists on Saturday, July 25.
The round four qualifiers will once again be on a home and away basis, so getting Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds as a venue could be a key factor.
Come the last weekend of the month just 12 counties will remain in contention for the Sam Maguire Cup and the goal for Limerick must be to reach the quarter-finals on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
A slight leg injury to full-back Shane Gallagher is the only injury concern after the oh-so-near decider on Leeside.
After training this week the panel will return to their clubs at the weekend ahead of round two of the Limerick’s Live 95FM sponsored county senior football championship next week.

Jerome O’Connell