THE Limerick hurlers are Division 2 hurling champions after a pulsating win over Clare last weekend in Ennis. The final scoreline of Limerick 4-12, Clare 2-13 only goes part of the way to telling the story of a title win for Limerick, which 12 short months ago would have seemed impossible.
The game itself was delayed due to large crowds entering the ground. The drama did not stop there. Limerick and Clare were close all evening on the scoreboard, a close feeling which started in the pre match march behind the band.
The atmosphere in the tight ground was electric throughout. The game took on a championship feel as the sun shone on 30 plus players giving it their all.
Limerick’s win secures the Treatymen a position at the top table of hurling for next season. The benefits of last weekend’s win might not be seen for a couple of seasons to come, but to win against the best, you need to be playing the best regularly.
Speaking after the game, Limerick manager and now, in some quarters, a saviour of Limerick hurling, Donal O’Grady, was quick to remind everyone that the league win was only the first step on a journey. Championship is yet to come.
“Coming into this, I never mentioned Division 2 or Division 1,” said the Corkman.
“Everyone was aware of the Munster championship in the background. The challenge ahead is huge. It’s like to trying to climb Mount Everest when you’ve been practising on Carrauntoohil.”
Limerick will set off on their Everest on Sunday June 12 next against Waterford in Thurles. This season however, O’Grady will serve as their Sherpa. The former All Ireland winning manager has this Limerick team playing a skillful, fast paced style of hurling. Indeed, the starting 15 last weekend was of familiar young faces. Several of the team who won the league last weekend were blooded in the Justin Mc Carthy era and it seems the experience did them no harm.
With the title now in the bag, Limerick GAA is on an up. The Championship cannot come quickly enough for fans. What a difference a year makes.
There were several encouraging signs last weekend, apart from the win of course. The half back line and midfield seem to be settled. Limerick’s full back line will be hard to beat and with the advent of harder ground and faster games, Limerick dynamic young duo of Downes and Hannon, could yet prove to be the catalysts required to spark Limerick on.
And finally, one of our readers, Liam, contacted PostSport this week, with his view.
“The victory over Clare on Saturday must be looked at in the light that Clare won it for us, as they had most possession, but failed to get the scores.
“We must not fool ourselves. These forwards will not impress anyone with their lack lustre performance and if we continue with this disorientated hurling in the forwards then we might as well stay at home. The forwards were caught out of position several times as the ball was coming in behind the backs, and they were outplayed by Clare in most situations.”
If you, like Liam, would like to have your view on Limerick hurling or indeed anything sports related, please feel free to contact us on sport@limerickpost.ie or send your letters to Donn O’Sullivan, Sports Editor, Limerick Post Newspaper, 97 Henry Street, Limerick.
Limerick — N Quaid; D Reale, G O’Mahoney, T Condon; W McNamara, S Hickey, D Breen; D O’Grady, P Browne; D Hannon, R McCarthy, J Ryan; S Tobin, K Downes, G Mulcahy. Subs: D Maloney for Breen (56), N Moran for S Tobin (46), P Tobin for McCarthy (56).
Clare — D Tuohy; P Vaughan, C Cooney, D O’Donovan; P Donnellan, C Dillon , P O’Connor; N O’Connell, L Markham; F Lynch, J Conlon, J Clancy; C Ryan, D McMahon, C McGrath. Subs: D Honan for McMahon (18), C Morey for Ryan (58).
Scorers — Limerick: K Downes 1-2, D Hannon, S Tobin 1-1 each, R McCarthy 0-4 (3f), P Browne 0-2, D O’Grady, N Moran, 0-1 each, (D Tuohy 1-0 og). Clare: J Conlon 0-4, D Honan 1-1, C McGrath 1-0, N O’Connell 0-3, (2 ‘65’), C Ryan (2f), F Lynch 0-2, each, L Markham 0-1.
