McCarthy ‘pleased’ with performance against Wexford

AFTER of winter of discontent embattled Limerick hurling manager Justin McCarthy said he was happy to finally focus on matters on-field.
The new-look Limerick hurlers played their first game of 2010 with a challenge game against an experimental Wexford on Saturday in the Mallow GAA Complex.


“I’m pleased we got a game there today and all the lads got a run-out,” said Justin McCarthy after the sides finished 0-18 a-piece.
“I was delighted with the support we got as well and the effort in particular. It was typical Limerick hurling today, which was very important, and they gave their all, they were together today for the first time,” said the Limerick manager.
Limerick trailed for much of the game, but rallied to secure a draw with sub Conor Allis getting the equaliser.
“I was very pleased with the spirit shown to come back, it was very good,” said Justin McCarthy.
Limerick play their first competitive game of the new season next Sunday (2pm) when they face UCC in the quarter-final of the Waterford Crystal Cup in Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock.
UCC shocked Cork yesterday in round one with two Limerick club players forming the midfield partnership for the students - Bryan O’Sullivan (Kilmallock) and Michael Wilkinson (Ballybricken-Bohermore).
Due the McCarthy’s wholesale changes to Limerick’s inter-county panel last October and the subsequent withdrawal of 12 regulars only two of last year’s championship panel, Paudie McNamara and Bryan O’Sullivan, started Saturday’s challenge game.
Just McNamara played when Limerick and Wexford met in the All-Ireland qualifiers last summer.
Colm Bonnar’s Wexford were in experimental mode on Saturday with just five regulars starting and another two introduced as substitutes.
Patrickswell’s Thomas O’Brien was one of the newcomers to impress for Limerick. He was unerring from frees and added two fine scores from play in the second half. Others to shine were Ballybrown’s Des Kenny at full-back and Kildimo’s Richie McKeogh at corner-forward and Pallasgreen’s Lorcan O’Dwyer at wing-back.
Pallasgreen’s O’Dwyer has opted out of the county senior football panel to join the hurling set-up. O’Dwyer was named in the football team to face Waterford IT on Saturday, but opted to give his commitment to hurling.
Limerick v Wexford: Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock); David Lynch (Na Piarsaigh), Des Kenny (Ballybrown), Kieran O’Rourke (Bruree); Andrew Brennan (Caherline), Paul McNamara (Na Piarsaigh), Lorcan O’Dwyer (Pallasgreen); Daniel Moore (Monagea), Nicky Quaid (Effin); Cathal Mullane (Killeedy, 0-3), Bryan O’Sullivan (Kilmallock, 0-1), Thomas O’Brien (Patrickwell, 0-7, 5 frees); Andrew O’Connell (Adare), Paudie McNamara (Murroe-Boher, 0-3 2 frees), Richie McKeogh (Kildimo, 0-1). Subs: Conor Allis (Croom, 0-1) for Andrew O’Connell (h-t), Tommy O’Brien (Bruree) for Bryan O’Sullivan (44mins), Dean Madden (Bruff) for Daniel Moore (45mins), Peter Harty (Patrickswell, 0-1) for Paudie McNamara (54mins), Shane O’Donnell (Kilmallock, 0-1) for Nicky Quaid (59mins), Brian Quinn (Ballybrown) for Paul McNamara (65mins).

JEROME O’CONNELL