LIMERICK’S survival in Division Three of the National Football League hinges on the next couple of outings, both away, against Wicklow and Offaly, respectively.
These are both must-win fixtures for Jimmy Lee’s side.
All three counties are in serious danger of relegation, with two facing the chop. Laois, along with Carlow, Leitrim, Longford, and Wexford, are those set for promotion from Division Four.
On Saturday, Limerick simply must account for their opponents in Aughrim (3pm) to avoid a drop to the basement tier of the pennant competition.
The Oisín McConvill managed Wicklow, like Limerick, are pointless from five outings and, by virtue of an inferior scoring difference, are bottom of the group.
Therefore the tie represents a solid opportunity for a Limerick win to bring the relegation issue down to a final day outing the following weekend against the Faithful County at O’Connor Park, Tullamore.
Aside from perhaps the opening round loss to Antrim, Limerick have produced encouraging displays against Sligo, Down, Westmeath, and Clare.
In fine fettle for Limerick at the moment are Seán O’Dea, Paul Maher, Iain Corbett, Tommy Childs, Cillian Fahy, James Naughton, Barry Coleman, Cathal Downes, and Jamie Baynham.
Wicklow suffered a bruising 5-15 to 0-10 loss to Offaly a fortnight ago, but aim to recover quickly.
McConville told the Irish Independent: “Limerick are going to be looking at this game and looking at the last couple of results and thinking that this is a very winnable game.”
“From our point of view, it’s a very winnable game. Two points would make everybody feel a little bit better about themselves, and create a little more confidence within the panel, and make us realise that belief is an issue, so it would give us that bit of belief to keep going.”
