Mighty Kerry block path to provincial final

A first Munster minor football championship final appearance since 1998 is the carrot for Limerick when they play Kerry next Wednesday, May 12.
The provincial semi-final will take place in Newcastle West at 7pm.
Limerick minor manager is former county player, Ger O’Connor.
And, the Fr. Casey’s man has appealed for supporters to back the players in their quest to topple Kerry for the first time since Limerick’s only minor title in 1956.
“From when the draws were made last October this is what I wanted - Kerry in the semi-final in Newcastle West,” O’Connor said this week.
“There is a great GAA following around west Limerick and across the county and I am hoping they will come out on the night. I think we can get an extra 20 per cent out of the players if we get a big support into Newcastle West.
“I think that all the lads want a big game with a big crowd and a great atmosphere,” said O’Connor.
The last time Newcastle West hosted a provincial championship tie was in June 2003 when a Colm Cooper inspired Kerry escaped with a 1-7 to 0-7 win in the under-21 grade.
“I remember the great buzz there was in the crowd and the lads played above themselves,” recalled O’Connor of that under-21 game.
“We are playing them in Newcastle West and we’ve a lot of guys from west Limerick and it would be great for people to support these players.”
Ger O’Connor is joined on the management team by Danny Browne (Monaleen), Declan Brouder (Newcastle West) and Gerard Moloney (Fr. Casey’s). Also in the backroom team are coaches Ronan O’Connor, John Dwyer and liaison officer Michael Sheahan. Incidentally Ronan O’Connor was a member of the Kerry side that defeated Limerick in the 1998 Munster minor final.
Since their impressive 3-10 to 2-4 quarter-final win over Waterford in Kilmallock, Limerick have trained in Newcastle West.
“It is in pristine shape - the pitch is a carpet-like surface and it is a great credit to Newcastle West,” explained Ger O’Connor.
“Since the Waterford win we were back training on the Sunday morning and everything has gone pretty well - there is a good buzz in training every night. I can’t compliment them enough,” said the manager in praise of his players.
“All the lads were delighted to get a win under their belts with a good performance and all that helps with confidence. At this age group it’s all about confidence. They saw that all the hard work they had put in had brought a result,” he said.
“We’ve been saying to the players that if we win this game we will be playing football up to August and another two or three months work with them would be massive for their development. They’ve improved so much already, but you need to be playing football into August and reaching Munster finals to develop.”
A win next Wednesday will book a place in the provincial final on July 4 against either Cork or Tipperary and also secure a spot in the All-Ireland quarter-finals. But standing in the way are the reigning Munster champions, Kerry.
“Kerry are Kerry - we’ve seen a DVD of their game against Tipperary and they are impressive, but we are confident,” insisted O’Connor.

Minor football final: Shane Reynolds (Adare), Liam Quinn (Ahane), Stephen O’Brien (Granagh-Ballingarry), Danny Frewen (Ballylanders), Fergal Cassidy, James O’Meara (both Ballysteen), Garry O’Connor (Claughaun), Brian Noonan, Kevin Noonan, Michael Brosnahan (both Dromcollogher-Broadford), Sean O’Donnell, Shane O’Connor (both Fr. Casey.s), Patrick O’Donnell (Galbally), Alan Condon (Galtee Gaels), Padraig Scanlon (Glin), Kevin Brosnihan (Monegea), Chris Buckley (Mungret), Brian Doherty, Ian Corbett, Jamie Lee, Michael Mulcahy, Michael O’Leary, Mike Culhane, Paul Hannon, Brian O’Sullivan, James Stack (all Newcastle West), Sean White (St. Mary’s-Sean Finn’s), Brendan McCarthy, Dara Tracey, John Greaney, Michael Flynn (all St. Kieran’s), Francis O’Riordan and Kevin Doody (both St. Senan’s).

Jerome O’Connell