‘They all want to hurl and they have shown a great attitude’

LIMERICK’S last chance of a Munster championship title in 2009 now rests with the county under-21 hurling side.
On Wednesday night next, July 15 Limerick travel to Cusack Park in Ennis to play the home side in the provincial semi-final.
Limerick are bidding to reach a first final since the third of the three-in-a-row successes in 2002 - the 2009 Bord Gáis Energy sponsored Munster under-21 hurling championship final is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29.
Remarkably, the last meeting of Limerick and Clare in the under-21 championship was back in July 2000 in Ennis.
That win propelled Dave Keane’s side to a three-year unbeaten run that returned Munster and All-Ireland crowns aplenty.
This season Limerick are managed by Claughaun stalwart Leo O’Connor.
O’Connor, who cut his coaching teeth with Ballinahinch, Newport and Mungret, is joined by selectors Mick Heelan (Kilmallock), Peter Curtin (Newcastle West) and Pat Donnelly (South Liberties).
O’Connor and Donnelly will be hoping to guide their players to success, just as they did as team-mates back in 1987.
Due to directives from Croke Park, O’Connor and company were restrained as to their preparations for the clash against the Banner.
“We were only allowed four inter-county matches and 10 training sessions,” explained Leo O’Connor.
Limerick concluded their preparations with a challenge match against Birr this Monday evening.
“To be honest the last month has gone extremely well,” said O’Connor, accepting that early season challenge games against Tipperary and Cork didn’t inspire confidence.
“They all want to hurl and they have shown a great attitude.”
In recent weeks games against the county intermediate and county senior sides have assisted team building. Club sides Kilmallock, Patrickswell, Croom and Glen Rovers have also provided opposition.
Two weeks ago Limerick were 0-17 to 2-9 winners over Waterford in the annual Tommy Quaid Memorial Cup tournament.
“I think there is a lot of good talent out there,” said O’Connor of underage hurling in Limerick - he is also manager of the Limerick under-17 development side at present.
“Everyone that we looked at got games and I can say that it is going to be a difficult job to narrow our squad down to 24.”
Back-boning the Limerick effort will be captain Bryan O’Sullivan (Kilmallock), Paul Browne (Bruff) and Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock) who are all members the senior panel.
Others likely to feature will be Kilmallock players Barry Hennessy, Paudie O’Brien, Philip O’Loughlin, Shane O’Donnell and John Kelly, James Mann (Patrickswell), Bobby O’Brien (Bruff), Brian Moloney (Blackrock). Young stars Tommy O’Brien (Patrickswell), Pat Begley (Mungret), Sean Madden (Ahane) and Declan Hannon (Adare) are also involved.
Next Wednesday’s opponents Clare are under the same management as last season when they felt aggrieved to lose to Tipperary in the Munster final in Ennis.
“Especially after last year they will have the incentive to prove a point for that final defeat,” said O’Connor.
Included in the Clare side will be former Ardscoil Ris player Nicky O’Connell.

Jerome O’Connell