LIMERICK are set for one of their infamous ‘in-house’ matches this weekend, ahead of a National League meeting with Galway at Pearse Stadium on Sunday week (February 26).
Referring to the in-house encounters back in 2019, left back Kyle Hayes said: “The competition is ridiculous. There is no first fifteen or second fifteen because the second fifteen would beat the first fifteen as much as the other way around. It’s crazy.”
It’s unlikely to be any different these days, with a plethora of new faces looking to stake their claim on permanent team places.
There’s speculation that gears will be grinding extra hard to get back on track after the side’s shock opening loss to Cork just two weeks ago.
In the snug weekend victory over Clare at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Kilmallock pair Micheál Houlihan and Shane O’Brien impressed in attack, with the former coming away with an impressive 12 points, as well as a Man-of-the-Match accolade.
Houlihan was assigned free-taking duties from an early stage after David Reidy sustained a hamstring injury.
“I hit them with the club, so I’m kinda used to them,” said the modest star after last Saturday’s clash. “It’s a very enjoyable set-up to be part of. Very competitive, tough going but the hard work is very enjoyable.”
There was a marked improved by Limerick when compared with the earlier narrow loss to Cork, Houlihan reckoned.
Speaking of the stepping up in performance, he said: “It’s all about incremental gains each week, setting the targets and trying to go after them, and then increase them week on week, and try and hit them. So hopefully we hit them tonight.”
Referring to Houlihan’s presence on the field, Manager John Kiely said: “When you get a chance you have to take it, and he certainly took his chance this evening”
“He did do well but he’s one of many that did well tonight in the first 50 to 60 minutes.”
“If he’s going to earn his place on the team, he’s going to have to do that on a regular basis. Well done to him tonight but it’s got to be backed up again as we go forward,” Kiely added.
Kiely also expressed his disappointment about the closing stages of the game, “but maybe that’s a reflection that we have a bit more work to go and do.”
Captain Declan Hannon is recovering well after having a finger stitched after the outing with Cork but is unlikely to be risked for the trip west.
Fergal O’Connor of Effin is also a new injury concern after he retired early on Saturday night.
Other injury worries surround Mike Casey, Reidy, and UL duo Colin Coughlan and Cathal O’Neill.
