THE Limerick under 21 hurling team’s preparations for their Bord Gais Energy All Ireland semi final this weekend against Galway, have been hit by injury.
Cathal McNamara from Doon will miss the tie after damaging his shoulder, while the captain of the side, Kevin Downes, is still a major doubt. The tall talisman, from the Na Piarsaigh club in Limerick City, has only this week, had plaster removed from his hand after a knuckle injury was picked up in a club game.
If that was not bad enough, Limerick manager Leo O’Connor has had a bus crash to deal with this week also.
Members of the panel were returning from a training session at Semple Stadium last week, when the team bus was involved in a traffic accident. All involved were OK, but coupled with the injuries, it has not been ideal preparation.
“To be honest. The injuries have really focused the players’ minds. They all know that they have to be 100% prepared for this game. With all the injuries and the accident, the game this weekend has kind of crept up on us. There has been no time for nerves,” added O’Connor, himself an All Ireland under 21 winner in 1987.
“Cathal’s injury is unfortunate for us. It is a real blow, but at this stage of the competition, we know that the panel is what really matters. Not just the starting 15. Kevin Downes’ hand will be assessed on Thursday night and we will make a call then. The panel all know that we have enough strength mentally to cope with injuries and knock backs,” continued manager O’Connor.
Should Downes miss out on the semi final, (Throw in at 6pm in Semple. Live on TG4 and Limerick’s Live95fm), the Limerick backroom team of O’Connor, Pat Davoren, Pat Donnelly and John Kiely will have some shuffling to do. Shane Dowling could switch to full forward. John Fitzgibbon, who has been impressing in club games could make the side and All Ireland handball champion and Limerick senior footballer, Seamus O’Carroll is also in with a shout of making the team. If O’Carroll was to line out at the edge of the square, Limerick would gain in raw pace, what they might lose in height. Which brings us to tactics and Galway. What can Limerick fans and players expect from the tribesmen?
According to Leo O’Connor, Galway are an unknown entity.
“All we know is that they have had some impressive wins in challenge matches. They have beaten Newtownshandrum in recent weeks and they should be fresh to face us. We have had a tough Munster campaign, but however fresh they are, our toughness and match experience should help” Let’s hope it can.
Expected Limerick team:
Aaron Murphy, Alan Dempsey, Patrick Begley, Steve O’Reilly, James O’Brien, Cian Hayes, Thomas O’Callaghan, Conor Allis, Seán O’Brien, Niall Kennedy, Declan Hannon, Shane Dowling, Michael Ryan, Kevin Downes, Graeme Mulcahy.
