LIMERICK will open their National League (Division Four) season with a tricky outing away to Longford at Pearse Park on Sunday (2pm).
The campaign will feature other away trips to London, Carlow, and Wicklow, while the home ties are against Wexford, Tipperary, and Waterford.
It will be an obvious goal of manager Jimmy Lee’s side to gain one of the two promotion places on offer from the basement division, but that challenge is immense.
In the eyes of the bookmakers, Wicklow and Limerick are tipped for such advancement.
This weekend will represent a first competitive outing as captain for Cillian Fahy (Dromcollogher Broadford).
He replaces Newcastle West’s Iain Corbett in the role.
As part of a glowing tribute, Football Committee Chairman Wayne Fitzgerald stated the outgoing “Iain’s presence has been more than just that of a captain; it has been a cornerstone of Limerick football’s identity. On the pitch, his determination and skill set the standard, showing us what it meant to give everything for the Limerick jersey.”
“I want to thank Iain for his years as captain and am delighted that he will continue to wear the Limerick jersey in the years ahead.”
At the weekend, teak-tough defender Seán O’Dea (Kilteely Dromkeen) announced his retirement. He first joined the set-up back in 2014.
In the absence of the now scrapped McGrath Cup pre-season competition, Limerick have engaged in some useful friendly fixtures of late, mainly in an effort to familiarise themselves with a plethora of rule changes set to be introduced from the outset of the league.
Among them are: kick-outs to travel beyond a 40-yard arc; teams to keep three players in the opposition half at all times; two points for scores kicked outside the 40-yard arc; an extension of offences leading to a black card and changes to the advantage rule to give referees more discretion on its application.
A countdown clock/hooter will also be in operation.
Elsewhere, in Ladies gaelic football action, promoted Limerick will open their Division Three National League campaign with a visit from Down to Mungret on Sunday (12.30pm).
The home side are again jointly managed by Seán Kiely and Mike Quilligan, while the captaincy will once more be shared by Róisín Ambrose of Old Mill and Monagea’s Yvonne Lee.
The Lidl Leagues were launched in the company of sporting great Keith Earls.
