STATISTICS can sometimes be misleading. They can tell you what you want to know more than what you need to know. However, at the end of 70 minutes last weekend in Thurles, Limerick had clocked up 15 wides to Dublin’s six. Limerick lost the game by four points and exited the championship at the quarter final stages.
All season long, Limerick manager Donal O’Grady had been speaking about the importance of being clinical. The importance of taking your chances when you got them. His words were almost prophetic.
Speaking to PostSport this week, O’Grady was disappointed at the loss, but was positive about the future of Limerick hurling.
“When we conceded the three goals we were always going to be chasing the game. We needed to be more in touch with Dublin in the first half. We had more scoring chances than they had, but we failed to get level and really put the pressure on them. We got to within two points a couple of times, but we never pushed on. That is experience and that performance will stand to the lads. The forward line at the weekend was very young. The only one over 25 was Niall Moran. Limerick has a real crop of young talent coming through now and they will be better prepared for championship hurling next season now that they are in Division 1 of the league for next season” commented the Cork native.
With Limerick narrowly losing in the quarter finals of the All Ireland and winning the Division two title, the season can be claimed a success. The question now remains, will Donal O’Grady come back for another year?
“Well Donn, I suppose that is down to the Limerick County Board. There is no point in talking about anything at the moment. That would be presumptuous of me. You cannot accept something until it is offered to you really. My agreement with the Limerick County Board lasts until September 20. After that we can sit down and talk I suppose”, added the former All Ireland winning coach.
The County Board will be under pressure from fans and players alike to extend the deal for O’Grady. The coach is liked both on and off the field by all associated with the Limerick team. A feat in itself. With September the 20th some way off yet, the Limerick fans will not rest easy until a decision is made. O’Grady will be in huge demand, but the current manager seemed in positive mood when we spoke. Good news to all ears.
Limerick may have bowed out of the championship last weekend, but there were still massive positives from the season. The winning of Division 2 was one, but the style of hurling and team harmony were the main positives. Limerick have long washed their laundry in public. For a year to be remembered for hurling exploits only is an achievement in itself and once which should be celebrated. With O’Grady likely to return for year two. Once more teams will begin to fear the green and white of Limerick.
Finally, just as the paper was going to press, Limerick Under 21’s were securing a spot in this year’s Munster Hurling final with a 2-19 to 1-15 win over Clare in Ennis. The final will be played this coming Wednesday August 3 at 7:30pm in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick. This game will be shown live on TG4.
