AFTER months and months of dispute, infighting, rumours and little hurling, the Limerick senior hurlers begin their 2010 season this Sunday with a NHL game against Galway. Under pressure and even more scrutiny this week is manager Justin Mc Carthy. Taking time out from this week’s preparations, the Cork native spoke to Postsport about the challenge of Galway this Sunday.
“It is good to have a home tie in the first game for us. The tightness of the ground in Kilmallock will add to the atmosphere and our new lads will relish that. Galway may be missing their Portumna contingent but they will still be a strong outfit”.
The Limerick hurling team which takes to the field this weekend will bare little or no resemblance to last season’s side. The debutantes will have to up their game for this, their first true test. A point not lost on Justin Mc Carthy. “It is a fair step up from club hurling, there is no doubting that. The challenges are harder, the pace of the game is quicker. We know we are up against it on Sunday, but we are confident we can meet the challenge and do the large support, which I am sure there will be, proud”
Ahead of the game, with all that has gone on, the nerves for both players and management will be a factor. “I think it be easier for the lads to make the step up that some people think. Yes there will be nerves, but that is to be expected from anyone when you pull on your county jersey for the first time. We will know where we are come Sunday evening. This is a good challenge for us” added the excited manager.
With the hurlers looking to make it one from one on Sunday, the county’s footballers will be looking to make it three from three when they take on Longford away on Saturday at 2.30pm.
Best of luck to both sides. Two Limerick wins are achievable.
Limerick Hurling Panel for 2010: Andrew Brennan, Caherline, Paul Browne, Bruff, Michal Carr, Ahane, Tadgh Flynn , Ahane, Cian Hayes, Kildimo, Peter Harty, Patrickswell, Barry Hennessy, Kilmallock , Sean Herlihy, Monagea, Des Kenny, Ballybrown, Cathal King, NaPiarsaigh, David Lynch, NaPiarsaigh, Richard McKeogh, Kildimo, Paudie McNamara, Murroe/Boher, Paul McNamara, NaPiarsaigh, Dean Madden, Bruff, Daniel Moore, Monagea, Graeme Mulcahy, Kilmallock, Cathal Mullane, Kileedy, Tommy O’Brien, Bruree, Thomas O’Brien, Patrickswell, Andrew O’Connell, Adare, Stephen O’Connell, Adare, Alan O’Connor, Ballybrown, Lorcan O’Dwyer, Pallasgreen, David O’Neill, South Liberties, Shane O’Neill, South Liberties, Kieran O’Rourke, Bruree, Brian O’Sullivan, Kilmallock, Nicky Quaid, Effin, Peter Russell, Monaleen, Anthony Owens, South Liberties, Mark Deegan, Hospital/Herbertstown
