NFL starts for Limerick with a London trip
FROM the dizzy heights of top-flight action only a short few years ago, Limerick now find themselves in lowly Division Four of the upcoming Allianz National Football League.
Boss Mickey ‘Ned’ O’Sullivan, second to Tyrone’s Mickey Harte as the longest serving inter-county manager, will be keen that his troops match their favourites tag and quickly climb a rung of the league ladder.
Limerick disappointed in the weather-hit McGrath Cup, but have had plenty of time to recharge since, and, on the back of a recent practice win over Munster champions Cork, are confidently expected to deliver against London in their league opener in Ruislip next Sunday.
One player who will not be on the team plane at the weekend is veteran goalkeeper Sean Kiely of Hospital/Herbertstown, and more recently of Bruff. After an initial association with the county senior squad way back in 1991, the highly respected Kiely announced his retirement in the Autumn.
Kiely’s departure opens the door for his deputy last season, Conor Ranahan. A younger brother of established defender Pa, Ranahan first came to prominence when playing his part in Ballysteen’s intermediate championship success of 2008.
Other new figures expected to feature for Limerick over the coming months include and Wayne Enright and Paul Corrigan.
Unquestionably, London’s hand has been strengthened due to massive influx of jobless Irish but still, anything other than an away victory would be a gigantic upset.
Limerick’s first home fixture is against Carlow the weekend after next.
Skimpy odds of 6/4 are available on the Shannonsiders winning out their division.
Meanwhile, the draws for the Limerick Senior and Intermediate Football Championships will be held at Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel in Adare on this Wednesday night (9pm).
After a long absence, St Patrick’s, stylish winners of the intermediate championship last season, will compete in the senior grade, along with holders Dromcollogher/Broadford, Ballylanders, Ballysteen, St Senan’s, Adare, Claughaun, Hospital/Herbertstown, Fr Casey’s, Monaleen, Newcastle West and Pallasgreen.
The senior and intermediate championships will be run in a similar fashion to recent times, with the competitions divided into two groups out of which three will qualify for the knock-out stages—group winners will earn automatic semi-final qualification, while second and third placed teams will compete in quarter-finals.
The championships are scheduled to commence in May.
Last year, the senior final was played on a Saturday night under lights at the Gaelic Grounds and it’s likely that this season’s decider will follow suit next Autumn.
Title sponsor Limerick’s Live 95FM will broadcast the draws.
Ardscoil Rís in search of Harty Cup final spot
TALENTED Ardscoil Ris renew rivalry with St. Caimin’s of Shannon in the semi-final of the Dr Harty Cup at Meelick next Sunday (2.30pm).
At the same stage 12 months ago, a replay was necessary before St Caimin’s advanced to an unsuccessful final appearance against Thurles CBS.
For Ardscoil, this represents a third consecutive occasion to reach the last four but still await their maiden bow in a final. With plenty of survivors (around nine) from the last few years, Derek Larkin’s bunch of promising Limerick, Tipperary and Clare teenagers will be eager to stamp their mark on this coveted competition.
Limerick’s last victory in the event came way back in 1983 when a gifted CBS Sexton Street caused a sensation by toppling St Flannan’s College of Ennis at McDonagh Park in Nenagh.
Ardscoil, only relative newcomers to life in the Dr Harty Cup, have impressed greatly already, particularly against fancied St Colman’s of Fermoy, Cashel Community College and Our Lady’s of Templemore in the quarter-final.
The win over St Colman’s was crucial for Ardscoil, needing the points on offer to reignite their campaign delivered a fine display to triumph on a 1-13 to 1-9 scoreline.
John Fitzigbbon knocked over six points on that afternoon in Mallow, while Brendan O’Connor grabbed 1-1.
Cashel were no match for Ardscoil as the Limerick outfit went on a scoring spree that included 2-7 from Fitzgibbon, 2-1 from Jamie Shanahan and seven points courtesy of Limerick’s great prospect Declan Hannon.
In the quarter-final, Ardscoil recovered from a sluggish start to register a commendable 2-10 to 1-9 win at the expense of Our Lady’s. Goals right down on half and full-time from Kevin Downes were at the heart of the victory, while Fitzgibbon wasn’t found wanting in terms of his point scoring.
Still, Ardscoil will be aiming for a better break from the blocks against Caimin’s.
The Clare team, who have retained the services of roughly half of last year’s squad, posted a terrific quarter-final victory (2-12 to 1-13) against fancied Midleton CBS last month. The sides were level quiet a few times with the separating score not arriving until very near the finish when the useful Alan Mulready unlocked the Midleton defence to bang home a decisive goal.
Mulready isn’t the only handy operator for Caimin’s; others include Enda Boyce, Kevin Lynch and Aaron Cummingham.
The prospect of a mouth-watering tie should ensure a healthy attendance and what a timely shot in the arm for Limerick it would be if Ardscoil triumphed.
Champions Thurles CBS and Nenagh CBS clash in the other semi-final.
Rockies and St Mary’s deliver on club stage
LIMERICK club hurling has received a massive welcome boost courtesy of Blackrock and St Mary’s.
The Rockies, who represent Arpatrick and Kilfinane, secured an historic All-Ireland Junior Final berth at Croke Park on Saturday week, February 13, with a wonderful 1-18 to 1-11 win over competition favourites Black & Whites (Kilkenny) at Sean Treacy Park, Tipperary.
Blackrock, who as Kilfinane won Limerick its first All-Ireland Senior Championship way back in 1897, will meet Tyrone’s Naomh Colum Cille in the Croke Park decider.
After facing a strong breeze, the Limerick and Munster kingpins trailed by a manageable three points, 0-9 to 0-6, at the interval. Within minutes, the Rockies had wiped out the deficit, the pick of the points coming from Dave Moloney, but Tom Farrell stunned the massive Limerick support when he kicked home a goal to reopen a three point advantage.
Again Blackrock hit back and with a series of fine scores from Richie McCarthy and top performer Aidan Murphy hit the front with ten minutes left.
It was nip and tuck before the eventual winners finished in powerful fashion, capped by a late goal from Murphy.
“It’s more than a dream come true,” admitted Murphy. “We’re over the moon. Going to Croke Park for an All-Ireland Club Final is almost surreal. It’ll take a few days to really come to terms with what’s happened us this season.”
Meanwhile, gifted St Mary’s/Sean Finns of Rathkeale pipped Templederry Kenyons (Tipperary), 0-13 to 0-12, in an exciting Munster Junior B Hurling Final at Raheenagh (Killeedy GAA) at the weekend.
Without a county title for nearly 60 years, St Mary’s finally reached the podium with a replayed success over Killeedy, hosts of this particular provincial championship for a sixth occasion.
Manager Jerry Molyneaux has certainly retained his Midas touch, with his CV boasting of All-Ireland, Munster and County championship triumphs at various grades (including Limerick teams) and in several counties.
St Mary’s were impressively led all season (there isn’t an All-Ireland element) by skipper Damien Quaid.
• In handball, former World Underage Champion Seamus Carroll (Limerick IT) is the newly crowed winner of the 40x20 Intervarsity Open Championship following a sensational tie-breaker victory over Shane Hedigan of Tralee IT. The 21-10, 20-21, 11-8 scoreline is a perfect reflection of the titanic battle which was played-out at Kingscourt in Cavan.
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