Limerick Post Sports Blog all the sports not fit to print

Justin Mc Carthy speaks to the Limerick Post

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LIMERICK senior hurling manager Justin Mc Carthy this week spoke to Postsport about last weekend’s Munster hurling semi final and much, much more.
On the game itself?
“We were obviously disappointed with the result. We know we can play better than we did on Sunday, but in saying that I feel that in some positions we had lads who hurled better than their marker and that is an achievement when you consider the experience that Cork have.”
On the mood in the camp after the 12 point defeat?
“The lads know themselves that they left some scores behind them last Sunday. We missed a penalty, we missed a few frees and of course we had a man sent off. The panel is a very level headed panel and they know where they are in the grand scheme of things and they know, like I do, that we are not going to get success overnight but it will come and days like last Sunday will stand to them.”
On the comments in the national media that Limerick are going backwards?
“I don’t believe that for one minute. Limerick needs to move forward as a county. Everyone is moving forward and so do we. Look at Dublin last weekend. They were six points off of Kilkenny last year and now they are 19 points off of them. Teams like Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary are not standing still and therefore neither can we. Limerick needs to move on from the hidden agendas and the in fighting and as a county we need to move on. If everybody else stood still then it would be easy to catch up, but they are not.”

The weekend that was

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Over the weekend we were covered in sport really. Limerick played host to the Special Olympics, more on that in the paper this week. There was Ireland versus the All Blacks, more on that in a second and there was GAA/NBA/MLB/AFL and then of course the World Cup.

All of those sports graced my TV screen. The one good thing about the summer is that the sunshine during the day allows you the energy to stay up later and watch sports. The NBA finals are poised at 3-2 Celtics. If you don't watch basketball, just watch these two in action. It is worth every second. They are the biggest franchises/teams and they are going toe to toe over the next few days.

Limerick confirmed as City of Sport

There were celebrations in Limerick this week as the City received news that it had been successful in its bid to become a European  City of Sport for 2011.This prestigious award comes as the result of a pitch made earlier this year by Shannon Development and Limerick City Council to the European Capitals of Sport Association (ACES) based in Milan, Italy.  A delegation from ACES has been in Limerick over the past few days on an inspection tour of the City’s top sports venues organised by Shannon Development.

“If we play like that, we’ll be beaten out the gate”

THE words of Limerick football manager Mickey Ned O Sullivan after his side secured a Munster final spot for the second time in two years. The Kerryman wore a broad smile after the game, however he did not give too much away about the big game to come.
“It was the purpose of the exercise. It wasn’t pretty, but we got there in the end and it will do. The sending off early on may have had a major impact, but the game is now a lot about discipline and sometimes things can go your way and other days they won’t and that is football. We came to win and we won. We are in the final now, but if we perform like that we will be beaten out the gate by either Cork or Kerry” added the Kenmare native.
With thoughts immediately turning to the final, the Limerick manager acknowledged that the final had never entered the panels minds prior to last Sunday’s final whistle.
“It’s only from this moment on that we will start preparing for the final. Waterford had the advantage of having played a championship game two weeks ago and no matter how you prepare that is a major advantage. Championship football knocks the corners off and steels you”.

Limerick face Deise in Semi Final

LIMERICK face Waterford this Sunday, June 6 at 2pm in Dungarven. In recent years Limerick supporters would be forgiven for thinking that a match against the ‘Deise’ would be a formality, however this season alone has shown that is not the case.
A win over Waterford in the Division Four League final, only a few short weeks ago, proves that Limerick need to be on their toes this weekend, if a second Munster final in two years is to be reached.
Limerick midfielder, John Galvin echoed those sentiments this week when talking to Postsport. “If anyone from the squad or even the fans think that playing Waterford is going to be easy, then they are sadly wrong. This Waterford team beat us in the league and we only narrowly scraped through against them in the league final. They are a massive side and they know how to play football too. We will not be taking anything for granted this weekend. Dungarven is a tight pitch and we know that Waterford will fancy their chances against us too. This is as even a game as you will see. We might be looking for a second Munster final in two years, but Waterford are looking to get there for the first time since 1960. That is motivation enough for them, without even mentioning the league final in Croke Park”

Cronin is relishing Thomond Return

Former Shannon and now Connacht and Ireland hooker, Sean Cronin, cannot wait to run out, for Ireland, at Thomond Park this Friday night against the Barbarians.
“If I get picked, it would be a massive occasion to be part of. A packed house at Thomond Park is something special. I played a lot of rugby there growing up, with Shannon and Munster age grades, so to get a chance to play there for Ireland would be a big night for me and my family. However if I do get pick, I need to focus on my game and try and put my hand up for selection on the tour”
Fresh off a good run in the challenge cup, Cronin is happy with his form and of course his selection on the tour to the Southern Hemisphere.

‘Quinnie’ still dreams of Ireland spot

ALAN Quinlan will run out in the famous black and white of the Barbarians this weekend in Thomond Park against his own country. It will be a special night for the Munster man as he plays his first ever game for the renowned invitational side.
‘Quinnie’ however, hopes this will not be the last time he is on the field with Ireland. The Munster number six, 35 in July, still dreams of playing for Ireland again.
“I spoke to Declan Kidney about the recent squad and he said that he was looking to the World Cup with his squad. I wasn’t in consideration for the squad this time around. There is a lot of talent in the back row and I suppose age is something that is a factor for me. I feel I would have enjoyed the tour and I still think I could have offered something down under. I have said before that I would never retire from international rugby. I feel that once I am playing for Munster, I could still go up a level with Ireland. If I was called upon I would always play for Ireland, but I have no problem with Declan and the naming of his squad”.

Abuse, common throughout the ages

AS soon as Tipperary lost to Cork last Sunday in the Munster Hurling championship, the abuse began to fly. Former managers and head bottle washers in the Tipperary GAA came out of the wood work to have a pop at manager Liam Sheehy. It seems, after all the years of the GAA. One thing is constant. Abuse. Abuse from people who should know better. To paraphrase one former manager, if Nicky English or Pat Fox had gotten those chances then Tipp would have won last years All Ireland. This of course maybe true but then again, those players were once in a lifetime in their era. Not in this. With all due respect to the hurlers of the 80's, not one would survive in these modern more fast paced days. It saddens me to see people who love the game taking from it's very core by verbally having pops at the current management team. Don't even get me started on my own county, Limerick. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but when a microphone or Dictaphone are turned on in front of you, you should know better. Protect the game should be the first issue. Not the last. After all, who knows that if PJ Ryan or Donal Og Cusack were in goals in the 80's would Tipp have beaten Antrim to win an All-Ireland?