From the Limerick team that lined out at Pearse Stadium, only three — Nicky Quaid, Richie McCarthy, and Paul Browne — have been exposed to top-tier league hurling. That’s a damning indictment of the county’s spring form over the past eight years.

Patrickswell, the champions, have begun their Limerick SHC title defence with a 0-16 to 0-14 win over Adare, on Sunday afternoon, in Kilmallock. They scored three late points.

Limerick mother Aine Laffan cooked up a New Year’s Day storm in her kitchen as she delivered her son Odhran on the kitchen floor.

Limerick mother Aine Laffan cooked up a New Year's Day storm in her kitchen as she delivered her son Odhran on the kitchen floor.

Gerry Bennis, former Limerick GAA chairman

Romantics call it the spirit of the Glen. Ian Lynam prefers a more mundane term: character.

Shane Bennett (Waterford)

Arsenal have pounced to secure the services of another GAA coach as the number of Irish at the London club continues to increase.

Limerick hurling’s bright young star Cian Lynch is capable of rolling with the punches at senior level, according to his Patrickswell club-mate Gary Kirby.

The Allianz NHL gets underway this evening with some mouth-watering fixtures from the very start, including Cork v Kilkenny in Páirc Uí Rinn and Dublin v Tipperary in Parnell Park tomorrow.

How much can you learn a week after New Year’s Eve?

Limerick begin the defence of their Munster MHC title at the Gaelic Grounds tonight (7pm) against Tipperary, the county they beat in last year’s semi-final (1-17 to 0-17) en-route to claiming a first minor provincial crown since 1984.

UTGOING Limerick boss Justin McCarthy has secured a nomination for the position of the county’s senior hurling manager despite a controversial two-year reign in charge on Shannonside.

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.

Limerick 1-14 Cork 2-21

ADARE won the Limerick In Bloom 2009 competition at an awards ceremony in the village on Tuesday night.

CHAMPIONS Adare remain on track to retain their Limerick SHC title after receiving a big scare from divisional side Western Gaels in Newcastlewest on Saturday.

Richie Bennis' two-year term as Limerick senior hurling manager is officially overafter the Patrickswell clubman was axed by the Limerick Co Board.

HE’S 38, he played senior inter-county for Limerick from 1989 to 2004, won three All Star awards, two National Leagues, two Munster championships, 10 senior counties with Patrickswell, his club, but Ciarán Carey still hasn’t had enough.

BARRY FOLEY is a shock selection on the Limerick team to play Kilkenny in the Allianz National Hurling League final at Thurles, on Sunday.

THE Cork selectors have decided to rest Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Tom Kenny for their Allianz National Hurling League game with Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

Former Limerick star Barry Foley has returned to the Patrickswell team in time for Sunday's crunch Munster club final against Newtownshandrum.

BEFORE we go any further here, congratulations are in order. If Ireland had won the rugby World Cup, England and the English would have been delighted for us.

The AIB club championships hot up next Sunday as five provincial finals are due to be played in four provinces.

JOHNNY PILKINGTON will be available to play with Birr in Sunday’s AIB Leinster club hurling final against Kilkenny champions O’Loughlin Gaels in Portlaoise.

Newtownshandrum 0-15 Toomevara 1-9

WATERFORD may be unable to provide a representative in next week’s Munster club semi-final after yesterday’s SHC decider finished in a draw.

ANTHONY DALY, the man who captained Clare to two exhilarating All-Ireland senior hurling championships, was last night appointed manager of the Banner county for the coming season.

KILKENNY have a slight concern over star attacker Tommy Walsh for the All-Ireland hurling final against Cork.

JUST over 21-years-ago Clare side Newmarket-on-Fergus defeated St Finbarr’s in the first round of the Munster club hurling championship. Other than the fact that St Finbarr’s were the reigning champions at the time there was little else of significance about the result.

DE La Salle, Waterford expect to be at full strength for tomorrow’s Dean Ryan Cup semi-final meeting with Our Lady’s Templemore at Ardfinnan (1.30 p.m.).

FORMER Kerry footballer John Kennedy is relishing his new role at the helm of the Clare senior footballers.