Footballers target Munster championship

THE Limerick footballers are now targeting a Munster championship title after they ended a 114-year wait for a national title on Saturday.
Within minutes of capturing the National Football League Division Four title in Croke Park, thoughts had already turned to the provincial semi-final on June 6 when they face Waterford or Clare in the Gaelic Grounds.


“It can go to the head or we can get back down to the ground and realise that we haven’t gone beyond the first round of the championship and that is the bottom line,” said Limerick manager Mickey Ned O’Sullivan after the 1-16 to 1-14 win over Waterford on Saturday.
“These lads are long enough on the road to know that one swallow doesn’t make an autumn! Basically we need to knuckle down and come back next week to training,” explained the manager.
“Hopefully they can build on this and keep their feet on the ground. This is just another step towards the first round of the Munster championship. That’s the bottom line and it will be a ding-dong battle whoever comes out,” said Mickey Ned O’Sullivan of the Munster Championship.
“This is great for the football people of Limerick who have been toiling for over a hundred years and have kept the flag flying,” he said of the NFL title.
“It’s great for all the clubs who gave us the players and co-operation and the County Board, who have given us great support when things haven’t gone well and they never treated us like second class citizens - they have always given us 100 per cent support. We have 11 people in management and they have worked so hard,” outlined the Kerryman who is in his fifth season at the helm on Shannonside.
Limerick laboured in the opening minutes of the league decider until a fortuitous goal from Milford’s Ger Collins.
“We were fortunate, but you make your own luck and for long enough we weren’t getting any. The harder your try, the luckier you get - you take these things and you build on them,” said the manager.
Limerick trailed entering the final 10 minutes, but three late points secured a first national football title for the Shannonsiders since 1896.
“They (Waterford) dominated the breaks and that’s the area that was worrying me.
“I think the important thing is that we have a bench that can give us impetus in the last 10 minutes. Last year in the Munster final we didn’t have a bench, but today we emptied the bench and I felt we had the pace and fresh legs and lads had emptied the tank prior to that,” said Mickey Ned in the dressing room.
This week attention turns to the County Senior Football Championship.
On Thursday night (7.30pm), champions Drom-Broadford face Monaleen in Bruff while Claughaun travel to Askeaton to face St. Kieran’s. On Sunday (7.30pm) St. Patrick’s return to the senior grade when they play Ballysteen in Clarina.
Last evening the County Intermediate Football Championship kicked off with last season’s beaten finalists Na Piarsaigh getting off to a winning start with a 1-11 to 2-4 win over Athea.
Elsewhere in Group One Mungret lost to Hospital-Herbertstown, 0-10 to 0-7, while Mountcollins were 1-13 to 1-7 winners over Cappamore. In Group Two Bruff beat Galtee Gaels 1-7 to 1-2 while Oola defeated Gerald Griffins 2-10 to 0-9.

JEROME O’CONNELL

If a team ever deserved silverware it's this bunch of footballers

IF ever a team deserved some silverware it's this current crop of Limerick senior footballers, but unfortunately success is never a given.


On Saturday (5pm) they enter Croke Park in search of a Division Four National Football League title.
It could very well be the first of two vital meetings against Waterford as Limerick await either Clare or Waterford in the Munster Championship semi-final on June 6.
But there will be little time for shadow boxing in Saturday's national final which is being televised live on TG4.
Limerick's rare appearance in Croke Park forms a double-header with the Division Three final between Antrim and Sligo at 7pm.
It will be Limerick football's first time in Croker since the 2003 Division Two NFL final defeat to Westmeath.
Mark O'Riordan, Conor Mullane, John Galvin, Stephen Kelly, Stephen Lavin and Conor Fitzgerald all played in that heart-breaking defeat and are still involved with county senior football panel.
O'Riordan, Mullane, Galvin, Fitzgerald and Stephen Lucey were all on the Limerick side that won a historic Munster under-21 title in 2000 when they beat Waterford in the final, but silverware has eluded them since.
Limerick did win McGrath Cups in 2001, '04 and '05, but everywhere else Limerick have encountered heartbreak - 2003 NFL final and the Munster finals of 2003, '04 and '09.
Ahead of Saturday's final Limerick are already assured of promotion which means that Limerick will play in Division Three next season alongside Cavan, Wexford, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath, Tipperary and Waterford. Manager Mickey Ned O'Sullivan and selectors Donie Buckley, Paddy Ivess and Maurice Horan used a total of 31 players in the campaign.
For the NFL final Limerick are without the injured Stephen Lavin and Johnny McCarthy while the experienced Shane Gallagher, Stephen Lucey and Stephen Kelly are all listed among the substitutes.
Gallagher started all eight league games, but was forced off in the game against Leitrim with a leg injury and his spot at centre-back goes to Padraig Browne who played most games at wing-forward.
The goalkeeping spot is handed to under-21 'keeper Brian Scanlon, who only made his senior debut in the final round game against Leitrim.
John Galvin is soldiering with the Limerick seniors since 1999 and himself and Jim O'Donovan will need to give Limerick a midfield platform as they have done throughout the league. Waterford do have Mick Aherne and Tom Prendergast in midfield, but the Limerick pair are among the best in the country.
At both ends of the field the scores will come from the respective full-forward lines.
Limerick's James Ryan has been play-marker supreme to date, with Ger Collins and Ian Ryan applying the finishing touches while John Owens will be looking to Liam O'Lionain and former hurler Gary Hurney to account for many of the Waterford scores.
The bookies make Limerick 2/5 favourites and if they arrive in Dublin in the right frame of mind success should be achieved just as it did back in 1896 when LImerick defeated Waterford in the Munster final en route to the last national football silverware.
Tickets are on sale from the Gaelic Grounds for Saturday evening's final.
Only the Hogan Stand will be open and tickets are €20 for adults, €10 for student/senior citizens and €5 for juveniles.
Iarnrod Eireann have also scheduled special trains for the game and advise early booking due to limited availability.

Limerick: Brian Scanlon; Mark O'Riordan, Conor Mullane, Andrew Lane; Diarmuid Carroll, Padraig Browne, Pa Ranahan; Jim O'Donovan, John Galvin; John Mullane, Cormac Joyce-Power, Seanie Buckley; Ger Collins, James Ryan, Ian Ryan.
Subs: Conor Ranahan, Shane Gallagher, Eoghan O'Connor, Conor Fitzgerald, John Cooke, Eoin Joy, Stephen Lucey, Stephen Kelly, Garrett Noonan.

Jerome O'Connell

Take two for optimistic Limerick

IT’S take-two this Saturday (5pm) in Semple Stadium, Thurles for the senior hurlers of Limerick and Waterford.
This week in Limerick there is an increasing optimism that Justin McCarthy, Brian Ryan and Liam Garvey can lead the Shannonsiders into a provincial final.
One thing is for sure, the weather and the standard of hurling can’t be any worse in Saturday’s replay.


Limerick were the side that finished with the momentum in their sails in the drawn game and it is key that they continue where they left off.
Many have questioned the mental scars of Waterford after last September’s All-Ireland final collapse.
When Limerick did raise a gallop after the half time break in the drawn game Waterford looked insecure.
It is vital that Limerick ask questions of their opponents in the opening quarter and perhaps awaken the doubts that must exist in their minds.
It took Limerick until the 11th minute to open their scoring account last week and by then Waterford were three points to the good.
Let’s not be foolish, confidence is not sky-high in the Limerick camp, but if they can build on last week’s second half the bookies odds of 11-8 begin to look attractive.
There was much to admire about Limerick’s defensive display last Sunday with just two of the Waterford attack scoring from play and once Damien Reale nullified John Mullane not a single score was conceded in the second half from open play.
The second half fight back was inspired from the half-back line where Brian Geary, Mark Foley and Denis Moloney dominated.
It is perceived that Geary and Foley could be caught for pace and any change of tactic by Davy Fitzgerald will need to be countered by the Limerick management.
While the Limerick team was not available at the time of going to print, the only change from one to nine could be the selection of Moloney ahead of Stephen Walsh.
Much of last Sunday’s game by-passed midfield.
Seamus Hickey did his best to inspire those around him and covered vast areas of Tom Semple’s field, but his direct opponent Stephen Molumphy also played plenty of ball for The Decies.
Donal O’Grady and Shane O’Sullivan were absent for long periods and if the Granagh-Ballingarry man can find his rhythm for the replay, Limerick will prosper.
Attack is undoubtedly where Limerick will seek improvement. Eight different players contributed to the total of 13 wides.
There was much rotating of players in the opening half and the unit appeared to settle when James Ryan grew into his role at centre forward.
There were eyebrows raised in Waterford with the inclusion of the WIT wing-back in Limerick’s attack, but the Galbally man drove forward at every opportunity and helped to stem the dominance of Brick Walsh.
It was clear that Ollie Moran needs match practise. After missing the league with a knee injury, last Sunday was Moran’s first competitive inter-county encounter since last July and although many questioned managements persistence with the Ahane man, the 70 minutes should stand to him on Saturday evening.
Andrew O’Shaughnessy is another that always carries the hopes of the Green and White army. It is clear that ‘Shaughs’ is not high on confidence at present, but hope remains that just one breaking ball could turn his season.
In the past Justin McCarthy has been known for wholesale changes and he must have spent hours of the past week looking at the varying permutations available in attack.
Na Piarsaigh’s David Breen surely did enough to start at the edge of the square as long as his persistent hamstring injury holds up.
One half-forward line combination could see James Ryan in the centre with the Moran brothers either side.
With Breen at number 14, that would leave O’Shaughnessy, Ryan, Sheehan, Tobin, Browne and Mulcahy as options in the two corners.
Win or loose Limerick’s next appointment in the championship will be on the weekend of July 11-12 - that’s unless there is another tirlogy in the offering.

Jerome O’Connell

Turning the tide

HAS the pendulum swung in Limerick’s favour, that’s the big question?
Justin McCarthy’s men entered last Sunday’s Munster hurling semi-final as underdogs, but a stunning recovery from six points down now leaves the Shannonsiders facing this Saturday’s replay in confident mood.


While Sunday’s game in Thurles represented the lowest-scoring Munster championship game in 24 years (Clare and Tipperary drew 1-8 apiece in 1985) the replay should present supporters with a better indication of what both sides are capable of.
Limerick report no fresh injury concerns while Waterford will desperately miss talisman Ken McGrath who, due to a knee injury, has been ruled out for the next six weeks.
Limerick have taken part in five Munster championship replays since 1996 winning two, losing two and drawing one encounter while Waterford, who have taken part in five replays since 1989, have won four and lost only one.
Since the game will not be televised live a crowd exceeding 30,000 is expected in Semple Stadium - the game will be streamed live on RTE.ie.
The Munster Council have confirmed that the Limerick and Waterford replay will have a 5.00pm start in Semple Stadium and that ticket prices have been reduced by €5.
Tickets will be sold in advance for both stands while cash will be accepted on entry to the terraces.
Tickets went on sale last Monday afternoon from Ticketmaster outlets while the clubs of Limerick received their allocations on Tuesday night.
On Thursday tickets will go on public sale from the Gaelic Grounds between 9.30am and 8.00pm.
Ahead of next Saturday Limerick captain Mark Foley has called for his colleagues to ‘raise their game’ and book a Munster final place on July 12.
“Overall we would be looking for a better return from play the next day - we scored 1-8 and that won’t win any championship game for you,” admitted Adare’s Mark Foley.
“Overall, whereas it was close and exciting at times, the standard wasn’t great and you would be hoping from a neutral perspective that the quality will be better the next time.”
Next Saturday’s replay has forced the postponement of round two of the Limerick’s Live 95FM sponsored county senior hurling championship which will now not take place until late July at the very earliest.
Meanwhile the corresonding Munster semi-final between Tipperary and Clare will take place at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday (throw-in 4pm).

Jerome O’Connell

Officials expect bumper crowd for hurling replay

A CROWD of 30,000 is expected in Thurles for Saturday’s Munster SH Championship replay, but the live television cameras could be absent.


The Munster Council have confirmed that the Limerick and Waterford replay will have a 5.00pm start in Semple Stadium, but talks were taking place this Monday morning in regard to television coverage of the provincial semi-final.
RTE are already committed to two live games next Saturday evening - Mayo v Roscommon in the Connacht SFC at 5.00pm and Kilkenny v Galway in the Leinster SHC at 7.00pm.
TV3 could be an option, but they are unlikely to go head-to-head with RTE’s broadcasts, so a change of throw-in would be necessary.
Ticket prices have been reduced by €5 for the replay.
Tickets will be sold in advance for both stands while cash will be accepted on entry to the terraces.
Tickets will be on sale this Monday afternoon from Ticketmaster outlets.
On Tuesday night the clubs of Limerick will receive their allocations while on Thursday tickets will go on public sale from the Gaelic Grounds between 9.30am and 8.00pm.
Ahead of next Saturday Limerick captain Mark Foley has called for his colleagues to ‘raise their game’ and book a Munster final place on July 12.
“Overall we would be looking for a better return from play the next day - we scored 1-8 and that won’t win any championship game for you,” admitted Mark Foley.
“Overall, whereas it was close and exciting at times, the standard wasn’t great and you would be hoping from a neutral perspective that the quality will be better the next time.”
At the end of the 70 minutes the Adare man was happy to take a replay.
“You can look at it two ways - initially we were a point down with a few minutes to go and we would take a draw at that stage. We controlled the thing in the second half, but couldn’t get the scores. Waterford controlled the first half and we could have been down more and from that point of view a draw was probably a fair result,” said the influential wing-back.
“We found it hard to get scores in the finish and we will take a draw.”
A veteran of 15 championships Mark Foley was happy with the composure shown by Limerick.
“There was no need to panic - we were only six points down and that is two pucks of a ball in hurling and we were conscious if we made any improvement that we could make inroads and then we got the perfect start to the second half and controlled it from there on. Even though we were being over ran in the first half we didn’t cope too badly in that we were only down six points and it could have been a lot worse. The vital areas in hurling are where the ball lands and that is your two half lines and they were totally on top in the half-back line and John Mullane was running onto ball in space and when he gets ball like that it is very hard to stop him.”
Next Saturday’s replay has forced the postponement of round two of the Limerick’s Live 95FM sponsored county senior hurling championship which will now not take place until late July at the earliest.

JEROME O’CONNELL

A good start will be crucial

JUST over eight months after Camogue Rovers proposed Justin McCarthy as Limerick senior hurling manager, the Corkman leads his fourth county into Munster championship action this Sunday (4pm) as he attempts to bring his winning touch to Shannonside - as fate would have it Justin McCarthy will come face to face with his old charges Waterford in Semple Stadium, Thurles.


Without or without the McCarthy factor battles between the counties in 2001, 2003 and 2007 ensure that fireworks are expected when Diarmuid Kirwan commences proceedings on Sunday.
As he did throughout the league McCarthy will not announce the Limerick team until close to the weekend.
However Kilmallock pair Bryan O’Sullivan and Gavin O’Mahony have been ruled out of contention.
O’Sullivan is suffering with a hamstring strain while O’Mahony is out with injuries sustained in an incident away from the hurling field.
Mike O’Brien had the cast removed from his hand last week and trained with the team in the last week including a workout in Thurles last Sunday evening.
However the Glenroe man has very little hurling played in the last six weeks and may not be selected to start.
David Breen was another suffering with injury and although it appears he trained in the last week and played each of the league games he may not be selected with Ollie Moran starting at the edge of the square.
Another on the doubtful list was Seamus Hickey, but his shoulder injury will not stop him from lining out - with a midfield partnership with Donal O’Grady most likely.
Down in Waterford Davy Fitzgerald has concerns over John Mullane (hamsting), Richie Foley (hamstring), Gary Hurney and Shane Walsh, who both recently lined out for the county footballers in the Munster SFC.
If the Limerick team is as suspected it will include dual players Stephen Lucey and Mark O’Riordan as well as Stephen Walsh and James Ryan, who both played Munster championship football last season.
Another in the starting team could be James O’Brien, who played with Kerry in the Christy Ring Cup last year.
Both teams have much to prove on Sunday - leaving league action aside, the last championship performance of both counties is best forgotten. While every team hopes for a good start to the 70 minutes the team that can gain an early upperhand on Sunday will begin to ask key questions regarding the self confidence of their opponents.
Waterford will no doubt seek to use their All-Ireland final loss as motivation, but likewise the qualifier defeat to Offaly and subsequent end of the Richie Bennis era hurt many in the green and white of Limerick.
It’s 75 years since Limerick were last in both the Munster senior hurling and football championship finals.
Back in 1934 Timmy Ryan captained the hurlers to glory against Waterford, but the footballers failed to Kerry.
Limerick also reached both finals in 1922, 1905 and 1895, but without success.
Sunday is all-ticket affair and tickets are on public sale for the remainder of this week from the office in the Gaelic Grounds.
The office will remain open until 7.30pm on Thursday night, while will be open from 9.30-4pm on Friday.
Officials do not expect a capacity crowd in Semple Stadium, but are urging fans to purchase tickets in advance.

PROBABLE LIMERICK senior hurling TEAM
Brian Murray (Patrickswell); Damien Reale (Hospital-Herbertstown), Stephen Lucey (Croom), Stephen Walsh (Glenroe); Mark O’Riordan (Croom), Brian Geary (Monaleen), Mark Foley (captain, Adare); Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher), Donal O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry); James O’Brien (Bruree), James Ryan (Garryspillane), Niall Moran (Ahane); Andrew O’Shaughnessy (Kilmallock), Ollie Moran (Ahane), Donie Ryan (Garryspillane).

Jerome O’Connell

Minors hurlers face Waterford

GER Hegarty is urging his Limerick minor hurlers to follow the example of the Tyrone senior footballers and succeed via the backdoor.
This Wednesday night (6.30pm) Limerick play Waterford in the Gaelic Grounds in the loser’s section of the Munster minor hurling championship.
Despite losing to Tipperary by 13 points last week a Limerick win tomorrow evening will book a place in the provincial semi-final against Clare in late June.
“I was telling the lads the story about Mickey Harte last Summer when Tyrone were beaten in the first round up in the north,” Ger Hegarty told Leader Sport.
“The following evening the players met with their manager and decided that their performance wasn’t good enough and they started from there and we all know where they ended up in September,” explained the Old Christians man.
“I am not saying that it is going to be easy,” said Hegarty, who was a member of the last Limerick minor team to win a Munster Championship in 1984.
Ahead of tomorrow’s make-or-break game against Waterford the Limerick management have made two changes to their team.
Into the half-forward line comes Na Piarsaigh’s Shane Dowling and Mark Ranahan of Askeaton. Omitted from the team are John Fitzgibbon and Brendan Mullins, who will play in the All-Ireland Senior Schools Soccer Cup Final with Limerick CBS tomorrow.
“Waterford are in the same boat as ourselves and will have to try and lift it for next Wednesday - it is going to be very tough for either side.
“I can guarantee that we will try. It will be an incredibly tough match - a match that we never even thought about, we just thought about Tipperary,” added Ger Hegarty.

Limerick: Aaron Murphy (Hospital-Herbertstown); Bryan Cleary (Knockainey), Nigel Foley, capt (Patrickswell), Niall Buckley (Na Piarsaigh); Paudie Ahern (Kilteely-Dromkeen), Declan Hannon (Adare), Thomas O’Callaghan (Monagea); Niall Kennedy (Granagh-Ballingarry), Liam O’Shea (Knockainey); Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh), Mark Ranahan (Askeaton), Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), William Griffin (Kildimo), Cathal McNamara (Doon), Michael Ryan (Murroe-Boher).

Jerome O’Connell