Hegarty pleads for support ahead of semi-final clash with Clare

THE minor hurlers take on Clare this Friday at the Gaelic Grounds in an eagerly-anticipated Munster semi-final (throw-in 7.30pm) and manager Ger Hegarty has pleaded with the Limerick hurling fraternity to come out in support of his side.
“I would urge every hurling man and woman to come down to the Gaelic Grounds on Friday night to support us,” insisted an enthusiastic Ger Hegarty this week.
“We have prepared tremendously well for this game and I have no doubt that so have Clare.
“Clare will be buoyed by their results against Kerry and Tipperary. So, at the very least, people will get a good game. We know this will be a massive challenge for us. And we know that Limerick hurling has gone through a traumatic few months.
“These boys though are the senior players of the future and they need a good show of support. That might give them that bit extra, that X factor, that 16th man. The lads’ goal is to make it to the Munster final and if they could do it, if they could get there, it really would mean the world to them.”
Although Limerick struggled to overcome Kerry (2-13 to 1-13) in their quarter-final the Shannonsiders will be expected to improve significantly for Friday night’s clash with their near-neighbours. For their part Clare, although they lost to Waterford 0-16 to 1-21 in their respective quarter-final, pulled off the shock of the year thus far when beating Tipperary 0-17 to 1-13 in a play-off.
Cork and Waterford will battle it out in the other semi-final which is scheduled to take place this Saturday at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Munster final is fixed for Sunday, July 11 as a curtain-raiser to the Munster senior hurling final between Waterford and Cork.
Ger Hegarty is joined by Mungret’s Brian Begley, Paul Finn (Bruff) and George Lee (Ahane) on the Limerick minor management team.
Many of the Clare team will be familiar to Limerick supporters and none more so than Sixmilebridge’s Jamie Shanahan and Parteen’s Martin Moroney - both players contributed significantly to Árdscoil Rís’ magnificent recent Dr. Harty Cup-winning campaign.
Dr. Harty Cup champions Árdscoil Rís provide eight of the 30-man Limerick minor hurling panel - Alan Dempsey, Shane Dowling, Ciaran Keogh, Mark Ryan, Declan Hannon, John Fitzgibbon, Brendan O’Connor and Mark Carmody.
The Leaving Certificate has complicated Limerick’s preparation for Friday night’s semi-final, but manager Ger Hegarty is happy that the players are fully prepared.
“Look, the Leaving Certificate has to come before hurling, we know that, but at the same time the lads have been hugely committed to what we’re trying to do,” manager Ger Hegarty explained.
“We’re really happy with the response we’ve got from the players and even though nine of the panel were doing their exams I don’t expect it to set us back too far. It’s the same for Clare. Exams come first for these lads and that’s the end of it.
“We know that we have it all to do really. We know how good a team Clare are. They have already taken out Kerry and Tipperary. We struggled against Kerry, so you would have to really respect this Clare team.
“In saying that we will be going out to give it our best. We know that hurling in Limerick is pretty low right now and that everyone really needs a boost. We’re happy with how training has gone and with how the players have developed. We’re delighted with home advantage and, hopefully, if we can get good support on the night we can give people something to shout about.”

Munster football final
Tickets for the Munster football final when Limerick take on Kerry on Sunday, July 4 in Killarney are available to purchase from the Gaelic Grounds.
Tickets for the stand cost €35, sideline €30, terrace €20, juvenile (family) €5 and juvenile (terrace) €3. You can purchase your tickets for this potentially historic occasion from the Gaelic Grounds on week days from 9.30am to 5pm.

Limerick minor team to face Clare on Friday night: Owen Webb-O’Rourke (Kilmallock), Brian Murphy (Fedamore), Alan Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh), Brian Hannigan (Feenagh-Kilmeedy), Mark Carmody (Patrickswell), Kevin O’Donnell (Kilmallock, captain), Chris O’Riordan (Dromin-Athlacca), Declan Hannon (Adare), Sean Kelly (Adare), Mike Fitzgibbon (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Thomas Ryan (South Liberties), Dan Morrissey (Ahane), John Fitzgibbon (Adare), Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), Michael Ryan (Murroe-Boher). Subs: Barry Neville (Ahane), Richard Ryan (Ahane), Brendan O’Connor (Croagh-Kilfinny), Mark O’Loughlin (Kilmallock), Ciarán Keogh (Na Piarsaigh), Jake Mulcahy (Kilmallock), Mark O’Connell (Glenroe), Jack Aherne (Kileedy), David Murphy (Kilteely-Dromkeen). Extended members of the panel: Stephen Foley (Croagh-Kilfinny), Patrick Carroll (South Liberties), Mark Ryan (Na Piarsaigh), William Hickey (South Liberties), Chris Buckley (Mungret), David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca), Liam Ryan (Doon) and Conor Sheehan (Cappamore).

Brian McDonnell