THE Limerick Senior footballers take on the challenge of Kerry this Saturday evening at the Gaelic Grounds. The semi final of the Munster football championship is expected to attract a fairly large crowd to the Ennis Road venue as Limerick look to pull off an upset.
In a repeat of last season’s Munster final, Limerick take on the Kingdom after Jack O’Connor’s side defeated Tipperary in the quarter finals. All be it unconvincingly.
Speaking to Postsport this week, ahead of this first championship game in charge, Limerick manager Marcus Horan was in upbeat mood ahead of the clash with odds on favourites Kerry.
“Championship time is what it is all about. We are looking forward to the weekend immensely. A lot of work goes in to this weekend. From Mc Grath Cup games, through the National League and challenges matches to get us to the big games. These are the games that all the supporters look forward to. Championship games are big occasions and this weekend will be no different”
Ahead of the games Horan has had to deal with significant injury losses. Croom men John Galvin, (cruciate) and Stephen Lucey (hamstring) have both been ruled out. There are lingering injury concerns over Steven Kelly and Mark O Riordan also. Limerick were within a kick of a ball against Kerry last year, but without the afore mentioned, as well as the other missing from last year, Padraig Browne, Conor Mullane, James Ryan and Andy Lane, Limerick are really up against it this weekend.
“The Munster championship is the hardest provincial championship in Ireland. No other province has two teams as strong as Cork and Kerry” admits Horan.
“Kerry are a very economical side and they have strength and experience from one to 15. We ran them close last year in the final. We got the game back to level and whomever got the next score would win. They got it and went on from there. We need to make sure, this weekend, that we take our chances when we get them” continued the former selector, now manager.
Kerry will arrive in Limerick as overwhelming favourites. The ‘Kingdom’ are the standard bearers for football in Ireland.
How are Limerick beat them this weekend? “We need to make sure that we do not give anyone of them space. We need to make sure we do not turn the ball over easy. They have some serious fire power all over the field and with their seasoned campaigners, we need to make sure we are switched on for the full duration of the game. If we slip for a minute, the game will be over” adds Horan.
The game will be a true test of Limerick’s injury hit, young squad. A win this time around would be a shock, but Limerick football has been on the rise for some time now. Is this Saturday night the night when Limerick football comes of age? Hopefully.
Admission Prices
Adult Covered Stand (Mackey Stand) – €20 (Tickets can be pre-purchased in advance through Clubs or on http://www.munster.gaa.ie) Adult Terrace (Clare End) – €10, Student/OAP – Concession on specific styles on the day (on production of I.D.) Family tickets for the Covered Stand at €20 for adults and €5 for Under 16s (Tickets can be pre-purchased in advance through Clubs or on http://www.munster.gaa.ie) Under 16s will admitted free to the terrace
The ticket van will also be in operation in the following locations. Friday June 3rd 10:30am to 1:30pm – Twohigs Abbeyfeale, 2:30pm to 5:30pm – Garvey’s Newcastlewest, 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Newcastlewest
AHEAD of this Saturday night’s game here are some snips of information on both sides.
In the Munster Senior Football Championship since 2000, Kerry have played 30 games, winning 21, losing four and drawing five. Limerick on the other hand have played 21, won nine, lost 11 and drawn one.
In 2010, Kerry won the Munster title with victories over Tipperary, Cork (after a replay) and Limerick only losing to Down in the All-Ireland Senior Football Quarter-Final. While last season, Limerick qualified for the Munster Final with a 1-17 to 1-8 victory over Waterford. Lost to Kerry by 1-17 to 1-14 in the Munster Final before losing to eventual All Ireland champions Cork by 0-16 to 1-11 after extra time in the All-Ireland Qualifiers.
The last meeting in the Munster Senior Football Championship between the two sides was of course on July 4th 2010 at Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney – Kerry 1-17 Limerick 1-14 (Munster Final) – Limerick led by 3 points at the interval before Kerry scored 1-7 without reply to take the lead. Limerick came back to level but 3 late Kerry points saw them secure their 73rd Munster crown.
The Limerick side for this weekend is managed by Maurice Horan and the Kerry side is managed by Jack O’Connor.
