THE LIMERICK County Board came under fire this week as club fixtures in the county have been refixed to accommodate the Limerick Under 21 hurlers’ All Ireland final against Wexford on September 12.
The biggest change on the club scene is in the County Football championships which were due to have been played next week, midweek. However the Limerick Senior and Intermediate football championships will now be played on September 15 and 16 (midweek).
The changes, pushing out the games by a fortnight, has been met with anger from football clubs and players whose entire schedule has been affected by the change.
Outside of holiday bookings and times off of work to be considered, the fact also remains that the last games in the club football championships were on August 8-9, a full five week gap.
Players from clubs involved were quick to voice their opinions on social media this week. Ballysteen Club man Danny Neville commented, “You train most of the year and put your life on hold. For what? To be messed around once again. Why bother?? #JokeShop”.
Fellow Limerick footballer and clubmate of Neville, Pa Ranahan added, “Co Chairman had our club on speed dial trying to change 1st round fixture by a DAY (which we agreed to). No calls today strange enough???”
With sunset on September 16 set to be 7.30pm, the issue of there being enough light to play the games comes into question. Members of clubs, who contacted the Limerick Post this week, were asking for the County Board to make sure floodlit grounds were being made available for the games, which is currently not the case.
In terms of on the field, this weekend sees the final round of group games in the Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate Championships.
Kilmallock play Patrickswell in the tie of the weekend.
Both sides are unbeaten and whoever wins in Bruff on Sunday afternoon will go straight into the county semi finals (to be played on September 27). South Liberties, Ahane and Murroe/ Boher can all squeeze into third place in group 1, so it is all very much to play for this weekend.
In group 2, unbeaten Na Piarsaigh are favourites to go through to the semi finals, as they face bottom placed Croom this weekend. Second and third sports in the group are not as straight forward however. Ballybrown (5 pts), Adare (5pts) and Doon (4pts) are all in the hunt for the two quarter final berths. The quarter finals are down for decision on September 20 in the Gaelic Grounds.
For a full list of fixtures, times, venues and tables, for all Limerick hurling and football championships, see limerickgaa.ie
Weekend Fixtures
Limerick SHC
Sat-29-Aug Ahane v South Liberties in Caherconlish at 6.30pm
Sat-29-Aug Murroe-Boher v Effin in Bruff at 6.30pm
Sun-30-Aug Kilmallock v Patrickswell in Bruff at 1.00pm
Sun-30-Aug Doon v Ballybrown in Kilmallock at 6.30pm
Sun-30-Aug Adare v Bruff in Claughaun at 6.30pm
Sun-30-Aug Na Piarsaigh v Croom in Clarina at 6.30pm
Premier IHC
Fri-28-Aug Blackrock v Pallasgreen in Hospital at 6.30pm
Sat-29-Aug Monaleen v Garryspillane in Bruff at 5.00pm
Sat-29-Aug D/Athlacca v G/Ballingarry in Kilmallock at 6.30pm
Sun-30-Aug Bruree v Knockainey in Kilfinane at 6.30pm
Limerick IHC
Fri-28-Aug Cappamore v Feenagh-Kilmeedy in Kilmallock at 6.45pm
Fri-28-Aug Mungret v St Kierans in Croagh at 6.45pm
Fri-28-Aug Knockaderry v Caherline in Clarina at 6.45pm
Sat-29-Aug K/Pallaskenry v HHerbertstown in Ballingarry at 6.30pm
Sat-29-Aug Glenroe v Feohanagh in Ballyagran at 6.30pm
Sat-29-Aug Newcastle West v Claughaun in Croagh at 6.30pm
