IN all sports, a new season brings new hope. 2011 promises to be a good year for Limerick GAA. With two new managers at the helm of the senior hurling and football panels, a summer of success in on the cards.Before the hardened green pastures of the championship arrive, Limerick’s hurlers and footballers must navigate the league.
Limerick footballers, now under Maurice Horan, have experimented with several new players in challenge match against Longford, Mc Grath Cup against Cork and an internal match between the squad.
Horan’s men are 4/1 favourites to win the National League Division 3 title. Two promotions in a row would be some achievement for the men in green.
With ties to come against Westmeath, Offaly, Wexford, Cavan, Waterford and the league opener on Sunday 6th February against Tipperary, the footballers will be looking to match last seasons league form.
There will be rebuilding on the hurling front new. The additions to the 2011 panel are in fact the 2009 players who refused to offer their services to Justin Mc Carthy last season.
New Limerick hurling manager Donal O Grady has picked a strong panel for the 2011 league. Games against Clare, Antrim, Laois, Carlow, Westmeath, Down and Kerry, means that Limerick are second favourites behind Clare to win the Division two crown.
With no competitive hurling played yet, Limerick fans will have to wait until the 13th of February to see their first sight of Limerick this season, as the league opens with a trip to Ennis to face Clare.
Limerick Hurling Panel for the National League: Brian Murray, Tadhg Flynn, Nicky Quaid, Tom Condon, Damien Reale, Stephen Lucey, Richie Mc Carthy, Stephen Walsh, Kieran O Rourke, Mark O Riordan, Gavin O Mahony, David Moloney, Wayne Mc Namara, Brian Geary, David Breen, Thomas O Brien, Donal O Grady, Paul Browne, Seamus Hickey, Paudie O Brien, Mike O Brien, Niall Moran, Brendan Hourigan, James Ryan, Niall Maher, Kevin Downes, Eoin Ryan, Declan Hannon, Pat Tobin, Sean Tobin, Andrew O Shaughnessy, Paudie Mc Namara, Graeme Mulcahy, Donie Reale, Donie Ryan.
