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Limerick face tall order – Justin Mc Carthy Interview

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THE Limerick Senior hurlers enter the Munster championship this weekend as they take on Cork, in Cork, in the Munster Semi Final. Throw in is at 4pm in Pairc Ui Chaoimh and Limerick will be looking to secure one of the biggest shocks in GAA history by winning.
So much has been written about this Limerick panel, since the whole 2009 season ended. Limerick’s last competitive outing in the championship was an All Ireland semi final. Since then, Limerick have been on the back pages of the national media for all the wrong reasons.
Established players were dropped, votes of no confidence in manager Justin Mc Carthy were tabled and defeated. Even relegation from Division 1 of the league took a back seat to the trials and tribulations off of the field.
This Sunday sees an end to all of that. Limerick take to the field to take on Cork in the Munster championship. Many people thought that the “crisis in Limerick hurling” would never get this far. However, it has. What can be done now? Well, according to Limerick manager Justin Mc Carthy, the Limerick GAA fans should come out and support the team.

Limerick Hurling Championship 2009

SEEING as this weekend was a non hurling week on the inter county scene, some of the club games were run off in the Senior Hurling championships. It was finally time, after weeks of waiting, for the local hurlers to get their chance to play some ball. After all, these lads are the real GAA. Not the guys you see on billboards, sipping lemonade and giving out about their free gear and gym memberships. These lads are the guys who forego all holidays to chase that one dream. The dream to win a county with 9 of your brothers. .  . There was no rounds of the Senior hurling championships in June, so this being the last week in August, Limericks foot soldiers will have to wait until September at least for the steps of the Mackey.

The results where as follows.

Limerick Star Visits Tyrone as Part of 2009 Halifax GPA Hurling Twinning Programme

Ollie Moran pictured in Tyrone giving a hand to their Hurlers

Limerick hurling star Ollie Moran was the special guest of the Tyrone hurling squad on Friday (20th February) as part of the Halifax GPA Hurling Twinning Programme 2009.  The visit marks the beginning of a new partnership between the two counties aimed at the promotion and development of hurling in Tyrone.

Moran travelled to the all-weather pitch at Dromore where he oversaw a session with the Tyrone hurlers. The Limerick ace put the Lory Meagher squad through their paces, sharing expert advice, experience, tactics, training and coaching guidance.

Following last night’s event, it is now hoped to develop the arrangement with further visits throughout 2009.

Anyone’s guess

AS Waterford and Kilkenny prepare to do battle for Liam Mc Carthy, Limerick’s hurlers are currently back with their clubs. So too is the decision as to who should be the next Limerick manager. After the meeting in Claughaun last week, the clubs have now been asked to decide on who they want and nominate that person.
There have been more names thrown around the rumour mill at this stage than I have ever seen before. We, as a county expect to get the best for our hurling team. The question is however, will the best want us?
The secret here is to get the clubs to agree early on that we need someone from outside the county to get us to the next level. That is no slight on the hurling coaches we have, just that an outsider might have less baggage to contend with.

Davy Fitzgerald, Tony Considine, Justin McCarthy and Ger Loughnane have all had possible links with the vacant Senior Hurling managers job.

Tony Considine, Davy Fitzgerald, Ger Loughnane and Justin McCarthy have all been linked. Three Clare men and a Cork man. (is that the first line of a joke?)
Limerick hurling needs a new leader. A strong one who is going to run things his way. Hurling is not the worst of our problems. Discipline appears to be. Therefore an outsider with a track record of harsh regimes should be our target. Step forward one of the following. Nicky English or Donal O Grady. Watch this space.