A new report from Hiqa shows the issue is also being impacted by old and unsuitable infrastructure.

Éamonn Cregan is looking through a window in the Hunt Museum Café, out at the Shannon running away with itself, a dull August afternoon rising merely to scurries, writes PM O’Sullivan

Limerick dual star Stephen Lucey has announced his retirement from inter-county action.

Patrickswell bring the only 100% record into the knockout stages of the Limerick senior hurling championship after a 1-18 to 0-19 win over Limerick and Munster club champions Kilmallock.

Champions Kilmallock remain unbeaten in their Limerick SHC title defence.

John Galvin has announces his retirement from inter-county football at the age of 34, after 15 years playing in the Limerick jersey.

Limerick footballer John Galvin says it is remarkable that only the second senior club game he has started should yield him a county championship medal after guiding his adopted club Cratloe to glory in Clare on Sunday.

Limerick will be without John Galvin for the Allianz Football League as the long-serving midfielder weighs up his inter-county future.

Na Piarsaigh 3-16 Ahane 0-07

As someone born and reared close to the border — just off the main road to Ennis on the banks of the Shannon in Cratloe — I grew up with first-hand experience of the Clare and Limerick rivalry.

Na Piarsaigh 1-18 Patrickswell 1-12

Champions UCC are within an hour of retaining their Fitzgibbon Cup title after a comprehensive defeat of UCD in sun-splashed Carnmore yesterday, a powerful second half enough to defeat Nicky English’s charges.

Limerick’s veteran John Galvin has been included in Maurice Horan’s senior football panel for the McGrath Cup and National League.

Familiar faces fill the line-up for the semi-finals of the Limerick SHC, which will be contested by four of the last five teams to claim the title.

Limerick club hurling side Emmets could only muster up 13 players for the start of yesterday’s Limerick SHC game against Adare.

Kilmallock and divisional side Emmets are the only sides left with 100% records after round two of the Limerick SHC.

As they face into the unknown this Saturday, an All-Ireland semi-final in Parnell Park against the experienced Loughgiel Shamrocks of Antrim and Ulster, if the young hurlers of Na Piarsaigh need inspiration they don’t have to look very far.

Broadstrand Lad may be approaching his fourth birthday, but the brilliant son of Hallucinate retains all his ability and he will be bidding for the biggest title of his career when he lines out in the final of the Tyrur McGuigan @ Stud Open 575.

DESPITE the withdrawal of a couple of fancied runners, the Tyrur McGuigan @ Stud Open 575 provided tremendous racing at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

INJURED midfield ace John Galvin has given Limerick footballers a major boost by declaring that he hopes to return to action in next season’s Allianz FL campaign.

Limerick midfielder John Galvin has commented on the increasing amount of cruciate knee ligament injuries affecting the country's top footballers.

Limerick manager Maurice Horan has handed debuts to three players for Saturday's Munster SFC semi-final against Kerry at the Gaelic Grounds (throw-in 6.45pm).

Limerick manager Maurice Horan is sweating on the fitness of defender Stephen Lucey ahead of next Saturday's Munster SFC semi-final against Kerry.

IT was a passage of play similar to thousands John Galvin has been involved in his career.

Limerick's talismanic midfielder John Galvin has suffered cruciate knee ligament damage and will miss the rest of the season.

HEALTH Minister James Reilly is to be asked to intervene after the HSE announced plans to close 50% of the surgical facility at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital in Co Limerick for eight months.

ANDREW O’SHAUGHNESSY isn’t too keen on dwelling on the latter end of 2009. And who could blame him. Twelve months ago he was one of the 12 Limerick hurlers sensationally dropped from the county panel with manager Justin McCarthy citing commitment and discipline issues as the chief reasons behind the axing.

LIMERICK dual star Stephen Lucey has hinted that he would return to the county’s senior hurling set-up, if selected in 2011.

Kerry's greater experience of high-octane, high-stakes Championship finals helped them pull through in yesterday's Munster SFC final, according to manager Jack O'Connor.

TO Kerry the spoils, to Limerick the admiration.

THERE was no cheering in Claughaun GAA hall on Tuesday evening as the result of the ballot was read out. There was not a single whoop nor holler as the final tally was announced, an emphatic 83/47 win for the county board and for Justin McCarthy and his management team.

A special meeting of the Limerick County Board has been fixed for next Tuesday with the future of senior hurling manager Justin McCarthy set to be the main topic for discussion.

AS predicted in these pages after the county board meeting on Tuesday night, the requisite five clubs have got together in Limerick and produced a notice of motion requesting a special meeting of the board to discuss the position of current senior hurling manager, Justin McCarthy.

Limerick dual player Stephen Lucey says that Justin McCarthy has "brought Christmas to Limerick hurling" as they prepare for Sunday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final tussle with Tipperary.

CHAMPIONS Adare eased to a Limerick SHC first round win when defeating Knockainey, 3-14 to 0-9.

TWO goals in the three minutes before half-time set Kilmallock on their way to a 3-16 to 2-16 win over Ahane in round one of the Limerick county senior hurling championship in Bruff yesterday.

A leaving certificate student who killed a Croom man after night out drinking a cocktail of beer and vodka has been sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter.

Mark Foley has been confirmed as the new captain of the Limerick senior hurling team.

NO MATTER who comes out of the two Munster Club hurling semi-finals tomorrow, one thing we already know for certain — there will be new, first-time champions crowned in 2007.

Graham Canty will make his long-awaited championship return for Cork this weekend when the Rebels take on Limerick in their Munster SFC quarter-final (Pairc Ui Chaoimh, throw-in 3.30pm).

GARDAÍ refused to comment last night on speculation that there has been a major breakthrough in their investigation to track down the killer of Croom bachelor, Liam O’Donovan.