The embattled Limerick manager opted not to speak to the media in Pairc Ui Chaoimh in the immediate aftermath of his side’s loss to Cork, but Justin McCarthy did take time out to speak to Leader Sport this week.
“As an outsider looking in I can see what is required and I am not just saying this to stay on board,” stressed Justin McCarthy.
“You can’t do it over night, but people must be positive.
“People must face up to the idea that new talent has to be unearthed.
“You can blame the manager or the County Board all the time, but there is too much blame and not enough positivity,” said McCarthy in defence of his inexperienced side.
“Come in behind the talent that is there,” he asked.
“People have to do it together and not be split because of personalties.
“Limerick has to start some place - you could wait five years down the road and then say why didn’t we start with new players. There is an amount of talent and there is great harmony in the panel,” he said.
“You have to start somewhere to bring everyone forward. We are giving lads a chance to perform at inter-county level - a very honest bunch.
“I see a great quality of player coming though. I am coaching for 40 years since I started out with Antrim and I know what’s required.
“I saw that Cork intermediate team beat Tipperary and I thought they were very good and Limerick were so unlucky not to beat them. Look at that intermediate team. They have young talent and I can see the work that was put into them,” McCarthy said.
An under-performance
McCarthy’s senior team were beaten 2-19 to 0-12, but the Cork native feels that his side under-performed.
“I still thought we didn’t play as well as we could have, honestly. I was disappointed because I know we can do better. I felt we were closer than the scoreline suggests,” he explained.
“No real Cork player dominated us to the extent that people thought.
“There were some encouraging displays. The full-back line was outstanding and Kieran O’Rourke was my Man of the Match. They are all unheralded players and they hurled with huge distinction.”
It appeared like Cork didn’t raise their game to the level of their quarter-final win over Tipperary.
“A good team with their experience won’t panic. Look, Cork seldom get beaten in Pairc Ui Chaoimh,” said Justin McCarthy.
“The penalty settled them and then we had the man sent off and we missed a few frees and the penalty. They had to wait until the final minutes before they got a goal from play.”
The day for big crowds is gone
It also appeared that the Limerick public stayed away from the provincial semi-final due to the apathy that has surrounded Limerick hurling since last October.
“The day for big crowds is gone - especially with the economy the way it is. People are watching finances and maybe some were gone to the seaside with the fine weather and, of course, it was on television,” explained the Limerick manager.
Qualifier draw
McCarthy and Limerick now wait for next weekend’s qualifier draw where they will be drawn to play either Dublin or the losing side from the Galway and Offaly replay.
That game will take place on Saturday, July 10.
Although Limerick battled gamely on Sunday, they are still without a competitive win this season.
A confidence boosting victory is now the target for McCarthy and selectors Brian Ryan, Liam Garvey and John Tuohy.
“It is the objective. There is no team standing still waiting to be beaten.
“Look at Dublin yesterday. They were beaten by 19 points by Kilkenny and they were only beaten six points last year and Dublin are a good team. The gap is widening,” said McCarthy.
“The next game is very important. It would be a great boost to win.”
Limerick will be planning without Paudie McNamara.
The wing-forward and free-taker departs for Australia next week.
On the doubtful list are Shaun O’Riordan (hamstring), Richie McKeogh (ankle), Andrew Brennan (foot) and Na Piarsaigh duo David Lynch and James O’Brien, who were injured for the Cork game.
Jerome O’Connell
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