Minors line out for a crack at mighty Tipp

Not since Centenary Year of 1984 have Limerick delivered at minor hurling grade, in terms of either a Munster or All-Ireland title, and once again the outlook isn't all that pretty for 2008.

Peter Finn's young troops run-up against All-Ireland champions for the past couple of years Tipperary in the first round of this season's ESB sponsored championship at Semple Stadium, Thurles on this Wednesday (6.30pm). "It certainly couldn't have been any more difficult starting off in the championship," admitted Finn. "Still, while they have the game in their own back yard we certainly won't fear them and have a team capable of doing well."

Sean Windle, St Kieran's, tackling Seamus Mulcahy, Pallasgreen, in the County Senior Football Championship Group One Round One, played at Clarina last Friday. Picture: Brendan Gleeson.

The Limerick team includes dual-star Pat Begley of Mungret/St Paul's and a plethora of aces that excelled with the Ard Scoil Rís Harty Cup team, including Kevin Downes (Na Piarsaigh) and Patrickswell's Thomas Nolan, along with such proven players as Mark Deegan of Hospital/Herbertstown, Kilmallock's Graham Mulcahy, Peter Ryan (Dromin/Athlacca), Darragh and Sean Madden of Ahane and Feoganagh/Castlemahon's Timmy Fleming.

A place in the semi-final against either Cork or Clare awaits the winners, with the losers forced into a play-off for a semi-final outing against Waterford or Kerry.

Colm Lyons of Cork will officiate at this mid-week fixture at the Theatre of Dreams.

Meanwhile, Limerick have booked a semi-final place against Tipperary in the Munster Minor Football Championship, a contest that will go ahead in a fortnights time. This all came about following the splendid 1-13 to 0-11 win over Waterford in a play-off at Bruff – Limerick had begun the championship with a first round loss to holders Cork before coming good a week later away to Clare.

Limerick led 0-8 to 0-3 at half-time in Bruff, with the exciting Cormac Joyce-Power and Ciaran Ryan contributing most on the scoring front. Waterford managed to close the gap to just three points before the home side sealed the contest with a magnificent goal from World Handball Champion Seamus O'Carroll of Cappagh. Captain Pauric McEnery was the game's top scorer with a superb six points, evenly divided between scores from play and dead-ball situations.

"A semi-final spot was always our goal and we're happy as of now, but know that a final appearance is also very much within the scope of this team," commented Limerick manager John Colbert, Fr Casey's. "We're still very much on the ground in terms of what's ahead of us against Tipperary in a couple of weeks from now, but are looking forward to the challenge."

Fitzgerald to open Ballybricken facilities

New Munster Council Secretary Pat Fitzgerald will perform his first official engagement when he opens the wonderful new Ballybricken Clubhouse on Bank Holiday Monday next.

"Who better to do the honours for us, but one of our own new leading lights of the association," commented Bernard Greene. "Pat has always been a great friend of ours in Ballybricken and we're delighted that he was in a position to cut the tape for what, I believe, will be his first official outing in his new role as secretary of the Munster Council."

Fitzgerald will declare the facilities open at around 5pm, with the occasion to be marked by a senior hurling challenge between Limerick and Wexford an hour later. "Richie Bennis was only too glad to facilitate us, and the vibes from Wexford were also encouraging from the very start and so we're very pleased to be able to put on show two very good inter-county hurling teams," Greene said. Entry has been pitched at just €10, which includes a bumper souvenir programme.

Bennis is expected to use the outing to introduce to top-level action his latest batch of recruits, namely David Breen and Kevin Ryan, both of Na Piarsaigh, Kilmallock's Eoin Ryan, Michael Noonan (Adare) and James Ryan of Garryspillane. Only three years ago, Ryan emerged as the top-scorer in the All-Ireland minor championship campaign before, surprisingly, concentrating on football.

Meanwhile, Brian Geary is a fitness race to be okay for Limerick's scheduled Munster Championship semi-final date with either Clare or Waterford in mid-June. "At the moment, I'm a little in the dark as to how I'll be fixed for that championship game," he outlined. "The recovery is a little bit slow, but at the same time I suppose you can't be expecting too much after an operation (knee) like this.