LIMERICK take on Clare this Saturday night at the Gaelic Grounds in the Munster Senior Football Championship Semi Final. (Throw in 7.30pm) Having already beaten Waterford, Limerick have the advantage of already tasting championship football ahead of this local derby. Limerick Manager Maurice Horan doubts if Clare will be worried about what they saw from Limerick in that game.
“We need to improve dramatically from the Waterford game. Things we said we would do, we didn’t do. We didn’t deal with their packed defence very well and we didn’t deal with their half back line very well either. Clare won’t be shaking in their boots having watched us against Waterford”
Clare will have an insight into Limerick’s style too, as Clare manager Michael Mc Dermott is also the manager of Monaleen. Horan feels that is could prove crucial.
“Both sides know eachother very well. With Michael Mc Dermott in charge of Clare. He is going to know Limerick Football inside and out. There will be no secrets or surprises from both sides. We would like to think we have improved since we lost to Clare in the league. That was a poor performance from us that day. This is a great rivalry thought and when you play your rival it is always going to be close”
Limerick are expected to pick from a full panel with the only real injury doubt being Stephen Kelly. This of course means that John Galvin may well see some action which can only boost Limerick’s hopes of a return to Munster Football final on July 8th.
LIMERICK’s squad for this weekend’s game is a mix of youth and experience. Players such as Lavin, Lucey, Galvin and Buckley are joined on the field by Collins, Ryan and Riordan. Players who are making their mark in their early championship years.
Speaking to PostSport this week, Limerick captain Ger Collins knows that the experience Limerick have will go a long way to securing a win.
“We have a strong panel to pick from this season. Captaining this side is great when you have players like Stephen Lavin, Stephen Lucey, Seanie Buckely and John Galvin. They are massive leaders and you have to look up to them on and off the field. It is players like that, that will dictate the the work rate required”
Limerick’s centre back John Riordan knows that work rate and intensity are going to be needed this weekend to have any chance of getting to a Munster Final against Cork or Kerry.
“Clare are going to be no pushover. If we play like we did against Waterford, there is no point in turning up. We will be blown out of the water. We have to up the game 100%. We weren’t up to the speed of the championship in the first game, we need to make sure we get a good start this weekend”
Collins and Riordan will benefit from being surrounded by players who have gone to Munster finals in the past.
One of those players is Adare’s Stephen Lavin. Lavin was disappointed by the Limerick players’ performance against Waterford and knows how big a game this weekend is going to be.
“This is a massive game. The league game has no relevance here. It is so long ago. The team we have now is totally different. The carrott of a Munster final is huge for both sides. We are smaller counties, so it really is winner takes all”
So, where will this game be won? Over to Stephen.
“This semi final is going to be won by the team who brings the most intensity. The ability to turn teams over in the tackle is going to be crucial. We need to make sure we are not giving away silly ball either. We need to use the ball well then when you get it. There were alot of things we did not do well in the Waterford game. All the small things will win the game this weekend”
With all his experience, Limerick’s versatile defender still gets nervous before a game. Even if he does try and play it down.
“When I started, all I cared about was swapping jereys at the end. Now all I want is to win. It’s funny, when you are young you have no fear, it is when you get older that you worry about games and you get more nervous. Now I am a bag of nerves before a game. I try to act cool, but I will be nervous”
The final word ahead of the game goes to Lavin once more. When asked if playing the game on Saturday night will be an issue, the repsonse was, “If I had my way, all games would be on a Saturday.
