Stephen Kelly will start Sunday’s Munster final

MICKEY Ned O’Sullivan has selected the starting side that is entrusted with ending Limerick’s 113-year wait for a second Munster senior football championship title.
For Sunday’s final against Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh Stephen Kelly is selected for his first championship appearance of the season.


The speedy attacker will be looking to add a historic Munster SFC medal to the AIL title he won in Thomond Park in May with Shannon.
Kelly suffered a broken bone in his hand in that final win over Clontarf and the sporting all-rounder was forced to miss Limerick’s Munster championship wins over Tipperary and Clare. The Newcastle West man is now fully-recovered and has been named at full-forward in a direct swap with Jason Stokes in the only personal change.
Kelly is joined in attack by three under-21 players - Ian Ryan, Ger Collins and Cormac Joyce Power.
Mickey Ned O’Sullivan and his backroom team selected from a full panel and it was always expected that Kelly would push for inclusion.
Na Piarsaigh’s Eoin Hogan has missed a number of training sessions with a broken metatarsal bone, but he is named among the substitutes and could be a vital replacement as he was in the semi-final win over Clare.
Cork manager Conor Counihan has selected Kieran O’Connor to come into the Cork team at left half-back in place of the suspended Noel O’Leary.
If Limerick are to spring the shock of the championship much will depend on the midfield pairing of John Galvin and Jim O’Donovan.
John Galvin is convinced that Limerick can be a match for red-hot favourites Cork.
“We are going into the lions den as they say and Cork are playing really well down there - the truth is when we do perform we can compete with most teams in the country,” said Galvin.
“I want to enjoy getting to a Munster final, but I don’t want to get overwhelmed by the whole thing. Win, lose or draw we will know where we stand and so will the rest of the country.”
The bookies make Limerick firm outsiders, but Galvin insists that just slight improvements are needed.
“The problem with us is our lack of consistency - we played well against Tipperary for 30 minutes and then switched off for 30 minutes and we let them back into it.
“If we go out and give a 70 minutes performance, who knows.”
Tickets for Sunday’s provincial final are available from the clubs throughout the county and are also available to purchase from all Ticketmaster outlets. A public sale of tickets will take place tonight in the Gaelic Grounds between 5.00-8.00pm.
Tickets will cost €35 for adults to the uncovered stand, €30 for adults to the covered stand and €20 to the terrace.
Juveniles can purchase tickets for €5 to either of the stands. Student terrace tickets are available through the participating county boards for €15.
Senior Citizens can obtain a refund of €10 on full priced stand tickets at designated turnstiles on production of valid ID prior to entering the stadium.
Sunday’s final has a 2.00pm start in Pairc Ui Chaoimh and will be televised live on TV3. The curtain-raiser will be the Munster minor football final at 12 noon which will involve Tipperary and Kerry.

Limerick: Sean Kiely; Johnny McCarthy, Shane Gallagher, Mark O’Riordan; Stephen Lavin, Stephen Lucey, Pa Ranahan; John Galvin, Jim O’Donovan; Padraig Browne, Cormac Joyce-Power, Seanie Buckley (capt); Ger Collins, Stephen Kelly, Ian Ryan.

Cork: Alan Quirke; Ray Carey, Michael Shields, Anthony Lynch; John Miskella, Graham Canty, Kieran O’Connor; Alan O’Connor, Nicholas Murphy; Paddy Kelly, Pierce O’Neill, Paul Kerrigan; Daniel Goulding, James Masters, Donnacha O’Connor.

Jerome O'Connell

Limerick FC make a welcome return to league action

WHILE Limerick FC maintain their push for vital funds Pat Scully’s side return to action on Thursday night (8pm) when the Super Blues make the arduous trip to Monaghan.
Following on from the recent uncertainty surrounding the club Super Blues supporters will be thrilled to see Limerick FC return to action in the League of Ireland First Division.
There is also good news on the acquisitions front with Conor Molan signing for Limerick, a move which will significantly bolster the team - a fans’ favorite through his previous season with the Super Blues Conor has returned having spent last year playing in Australia where he was named Player of the Year with the Whittlesea Zebras. Molan, who is waiting on his international clearance, will not be eligible to play on Thursday night.
Sadly Limerick FC have announced that talented youngster Stephen Goggin has left the club by mutual consent. The club would like to thank Stephen for his efforts and wish him all the best in the future.
Limerick will be targeting all three points against Monaghan in an effort to make amends for the two consecutive defeats suffered against St. Patrick’s Athletic (FAI Cup) and Shelbourne in the league. Limerick’s next home game is against the Wexford Youths on Friday, July 10 (7.45pm) at Jackman Park.
Pat Scully will have to plan for Thursday night’s game without captain Pat Purcell (knee ligaments) and Ian Storan who is suffering with a back injury. Jamie Wunsch is expected to have a scan on a knee injury suffered against Shelbourne while Paul Cummins (ankle) and Thomas Lyons (knee) are also out of contention for a starting place.
The club would like to notify supporters that the Limerick FC Supporters’ Club will hold a general meeting on Friday, July 3 at 7.30pm upstairs in the Riddler’s Bar. All members are urged to attend while new members are most welcome.
There are still places available in Limerick FC’s summer camp which takes place in Abbey Rovers FC, Corbally next week from Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10. The camps are for both boys and girls aged between four and 12-years-old and run from 10am to 3pm each day. Cost per child is €90 and this includes a full Limerick FC playing kit.
For information on all Limerick FC summer camps which will take place in a number of venues across the mid-west or if you’d like to book a place for your child then you can contact the lads on 085 130 5752 or 086 301 9408 or by emailing academy@limerickfc.ie. You can also contact the club on 061 324 563 - keep up to date with all the news from the club by logging on to www.limerickfc.ie.
Corporate box tickets with ex-Irish international guest speakers are available from Limerick FC for the upcoming Republic of Ireland internationals in Thomond Park against South Africa and Australia. Season tickets are also available from the club - contact Limerick on 061 324 563 or info@limerickfc.ie.
Meanwhile Limerick FC maintain their fundraising drive by focusing their efforts on attracting supporters to Leo’s Lottery (€21 per month).
If you are prepared to make a contribution to Limerick FC or wish to join Leo’s Lottery please contact the Super Blues on 061 324 563 or 085 769 4324.
Alternatively you can visit LimerickFC.ie for more information or to download the forms required to join Leo’s Lottery or pledge money to the League of Ireland club.

Brian McDonnell

McGeechan calls for time

BRITISH & Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan has launched a plea for the tourists to be given the time to prepare properly for future tours so they can remain competitive.
McGeechan believes the current trip to South Africa has resulted in ‘some of the best rugby ever,’ despite his side’s series defeat - the Lions complete their three-match Test series against South Africa Johannesburg on Saturday (2pm).
McGeechan said officials from the home unions and domestic competitions must adjust the season to assist the Lions in future tours.
McGeechan would like to see the Lions given the same priority as a World Cup.
“If they give the Lions a fair crack, the Test series will always be very meaningful,” McGeechan said.
“I just wish more of these people who don’t want to make time for the Lions would actually come out and experience a tour. I don’t think they understand the impact. For the players they represent, they should make it work. If you speak to any player in Britain and Ireland, this is where they want to be and the jersey they want to wear.
“Somehow, going forward, they have got to make that easier to happen and if you do that you will probably make the preparation easier to win a Test series.
“That is to everybody’s advantage, whether it is Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. The two biggest things in the international calendar are the World Cup and Lions tours. If we could respect that, the preparation would help the next coach.”
Meanwhile, injured centre Brian O’Driscoll has described Peter De Villiers as a ‘disgrace’ for defending Schalk Burger in the wake of the eye-gouging incident during last weekend’s second Test.
De Villiers did eventually apologise for Burger’s actions and the flanker was suspended for eight weeks.

Colm Kinsella