Limerick footballers crash out

THE surprise result of the weekend for most GAA fans would have been Kilkenny’s defeat to Dublin in the Leinster hurling championship. For Limerick GAA fans though, it was the Longford 2-14 Limerick 0-9 scoreline which would have raised eyebrows.
Limerick, looking to restore pride after an 18 point loss to Cork in the Munster quarter final, suffered another heavy defeat away to Longford. A Longford side who had not won a competitive game all season.
Winning division four aside, this season must go down as a poor one for Limerick football. Often the darling team of the qualifiers, Limerick limped out of the championship in late June. The damage, both mentally and emotionally will not be known, but Limerick must now concentrate on remaining in Division three of the National Football league next season.
Maurice Horan, Limerick manager, asked his players after the game not to make any rash decisions. The Mayo native has an aging squad and one that owes nothing to Limerick football. The great servants in the green jersey could easily be allowed to walk away from the game after this season, but knowing the panel as they are, most if not all will be back to put the wrongs of 2013 right.
The future of Maurice Horan is not known at this stage either. The manager and his backroom team were at a loss to explain the two flat championship performances this season. Horan is expected to take some time to reflect on 2012 before making a decision on whether he will lead Limerick into 2014.
LIMERICK – Brian Scanlon; Andrew Lane, Johnny McCarthy, Mark O’Riordan; Stephen Lavin, Paudie Browne, Pa Ranahan; Bobby O’Brien, John Galvin; John Riordan, Thomas Lee, Ian Corbett; Ger Collins, Seanie Buckley, Eoghan O’Connor.