THE LIMERICK senior footballers take on Cork this Saturday 25 night in the quarter final of the Munster Championship. (Throw in at 7pm in the Gaelic Grounds)
One name on the team sheet which will draw huge attention is that of John Galvin. The Croom midfielder has not started a championship match for Limerick since July 2010. The number nine has missed most of the last two seasons with a double cruciate injury.
Galvin returned to start in the National League final win over Offaly but admitted this week that it is great to be back preparing for championship weekends.
“It’s good to be back. It has been a long two years for me. The injuries and operations are behind me now and I am looking forward to taking on a strong Cork team this weekend.”
Indeed, Galvin, who had not missed a championship minute since his senior debut in 1999 against Cork, believes that Limerick are not as big outsiders for this weekend’s clash as many people would think.
“I know we have not beaten Cork in a few years, but some of the lads on this side have beaten them. There is no one in the championship unbeatable and we have to look at it that way. Cork are a fantastic side, but in the last couple of years we have proven that we can live with anyone on our day. The squad is now as strong as it has ever been, but we need to make sure we play to our very best on Saturday and who knows what can happen after that?”
The Limerick panel go into this weekend’s game with an almost full squad. Ian Ryan (ankle) Damien Quaid (knee) and Stephen Kelly (hamstring) are the only three players ruled out of Saturday night’s game.
Limerick manager Maurice Horan is aware of the impact that Ian Ryan, top scorer in last season’s Munster championship, in particular would have made, but is confident that his side can cope.
“Ian is a big loss. He would be a big loss to any county, but we have to move on. Someone else will get their chance now and they will benefit from that. We won’t be changing our style or anything like that. The lads know that a massive effort is going to be needed to make the game a contest. We know Cork will have eyes on winning the All Ireland and we know what there is never a great time to play them, but in the first championship game of the season, form goes out the window and it is a straight shoot out. With Galvin also returning, we have a massive boost. The man is a leader and an inspiration to the squad. It’s great to have him back.”
Limerick, who will be lead by Seanie Buckley on Saturday night, have played 24 games in the championship since 2000, winning 10 and losing 13. Last year Limerick crashed out to Clare in the semi final, a game which still haunts the players.
The last time these two sides met in the Munster championship, Limerick lost out by a single score, 2-6 to 0-11.
A worrying note for Limerick fans is that Limerick have failed to score a goal in their last five Munster championship clashes with Cork.
Limerick’s last goal against Cork was way back in 2000, when Limerick lost 2-8 to 3-13.
The final words ahead of this weekend’s clash are left to the returning Galvin.
“To be honest, I have had enough of the close defeats and great performances. This panel deserves a big win and we’ll do all we can to get it this weekend.”
