THE Limerick senior footballers may have bowed out of the championship last weekend at the hands of Kerry. They may be in Division four of the league for next season, but there are massive positives to be taken from the 2011 season.
Limerick manager Maurice Horan, speaking after his side’s defeat to All Ireland favourites Kerry was in positive mood.
“The positives (of the year) are that the last three Championship performances for Limerick have been outstanding and nothing short of it. We were about to completely break apart as a panel after the Munster semi-final against Kerry at the Gaelic Grounds. We had a meeting the following week and it was no holds barred. We all talked about whether we wanted to have a lengthy career in inter-county football, be it as management, personnel or players. We said that was the choice facing us at the time”.
Indeed, when one looks at the season as a whole, injuries will be marked as the reason Limerick did not fulfil their potential. That is saying something when the side reached the last eight.
“I think we showed a lot of spirit and resourcefulness, creativity, in terms of players playing out of position. There was maturity in terms of guys who hadn’t played for Limerick previously. John Riordan in his first year playing inter-county football has marked Ciaran McManus, Paul Galvin and Colm Morris – he has done a great job on all of them”, added Horan.
The same can be said for many more players on the panel. Tommy Stack came back mid way through the championship and he excelled.
Speaking to PostSport after the game, Stack was not ruling out a return next season either. “The camaraderie in the camp is great. To be honest, that is one thing that you come back for. The crack and the spirit is amazing. I felt I had something to prove to myself. I wish I had been here since the start. I will definitely consider coming back next season”
Next season will see Limerick in Division four with a chance of winning same. The championship will once more throw up a Cork or Kerry battle, but after that, who knows. With the likes of Ger Collins and Ian Ryan yet to peak, the only way is up for Limerick.
The final words of the season, I will leave to Maurice Horan.
”When you think that our last four Championship losses have been to Kerry, Kerry, Cork and Kerry, and that’s over the last two years. So we have to hold out heads up, we are playing against the very best and we are competing.” Long may it last.
