AS the Limerick Senior hurling team left Thurles last weekend, the talk amongst the players was already about next season. The positivity among this year’s panel is noticeable more than ever. Limerick may have lost 4-16 to 1-16 to Kilkenny, but now the players know what standards they need to aspire to.
The good news for Limerick hurling fans is that both the players and the manager know they can get there.
Speaking after the game last weekend, Limerick manager John Allen was quick to admit that the best side won, but he also feels that Limerick hurling is going places.
“I am very pleased that Limerick hurling is going in the right direction but moral victories are no good any more”, commented Allen, who will now look to the club championship to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.
Allen, who has one more season left with Limerick as it stands, feels that Limerick do have the hurlers in the county to compete with the best.
“I think there are the hurlers in Limerick. It comes down to intensity and work rate. Today we had the intensity and work rate in the first half and we didn’t probably in the second half, our forwards certainly didn’t have enough of it in the second half. Are there enough good hurlers there? Confidence can do wonders – win a game against Tipperary or Kilkenny and confidence levels rise. Certainly Limerick have a few exceptional hurlers and have a lot of very good hurlers. Maybe beating one of Kilkenny or Tipperary or a top team would bring them on” Next time? They are getting closer.
