LIMERICK play Clare this Saturday evening (6pm) at the Gaelic Grounds in the National Hurling League Division 1B Final. Midfielder turned centre back Donal O’Grady believes that this weekend is a huge opportunity to put things right for the 2012 Limerick hurling panel.
“We were way off the mark in the first league game against Clare. We were all shell shocked by the result that night. We thought we knew where we were, but we were woken up that night.”
The 2-24 to 1-13 defeat saw O’Grady play at midfield, his regular position in green and white. Since that game however, the Granagh Ballingarry clubman has moved back to centre back, a role he has played only a little bit of hurling in.
“I have played at centre back a few times for my club and also for the Limerick intermediates a couple of years ago. It is a really difficult position to play in, but I don’t really mind playing there, just as long as I am playing.”
A man who once filled the famous number six shirt for Limerick is now a selector on the team. Ciaran Carey was the greatest exponent of the centre back arts of a generation. Did the mighty Patrickswell man offer any advice to ‘Dodge’?
“Loads. Ciaran moved between midfield and centre back throughout his career really and he knows a few tricks of the trade alright. The position is so hard to play because you have to cover the other half backs, protect the full back line, make sure the half forward does not get too much ball and you have to contest more high balls than when you are at midfield. It feels sometimes like you are caught between a rock and a hard place. It takes some getting used to, but I feel I am getting the run of it now. I don’t know how long I am going to be there, so I have to just keep giving it my best shot.”
The former LIT student has impressed at number six since his switch. Limerick have gone unbeaten since losing to Clare in round one of the league. The Banner men were hugely impressive in the opening round win at the Gaelic Grounds. The Clare men were able to field a second string side last weekend and still win against Offaly.
“Clare have been the bench mark this season. This will be their third league final in a row. We managed to beat them last year in that final. They bet us this year. So this is going to be close enough as per normal”
Limerick will feel this is a second chance to settle the score with Clare as well as with the GAA.
Limerick won the Division two title last season, but the league was restructured, meaning Limerick were left once more in the second tier. Something O’Grady feels could be a source of motivation for Limerick on Saturday night.
“We want to be playing the best every week. We have not spoken yet about how we were treated last season, but I am sure it will come up. We will be doing everything on Saturday night to make sure we get back to the top table.”
