Limerick’s turn has finally come – if they believe
Following on from last year, expectations were high, we expected further classics, further upsets; we expected the revolution to continue.
How we have been let down.
The games, or, indeed, the hurling, have not lived up to those expectations. It’s been very disappointing. The Leinster championship was a whitewash. Dublin, Galway, Wexford and Offaly were all extremely poor.
Munster, wasn’t much better. It was just that the games were much tighter. A forgettable summer thus far.
What is required then tomorrow is a high-quality game, a ding-dong battle to give this championship a much needed shot of adrenalin.
I expect a massive performance from Limerick. I see something different with this year’s team. There is a greater maturity, a more complete focus.
They played well in the Munster final and while they weren’t able to find the required goals, it was still a very good display and they backed it up with an impressive quarter-final win.
A sign of a good management team is to admit mistakes when mistakes have been made. It was hugely honest of TJ Ryan to come out after the defeat by Cork and say he had worked the team too hard in the week leading into the game. That honesty can be seen in their play.
Limerick return to Croke Park tomorrow and the venue has not been a happy hunting ground for the county in recent times. Last year I don’t believe hype was the issue. Hype did not cost Limerick a place in the All-Ireland final. The players simply didn’t perform against Clare. Players missing simple frees in front of goal should not be happening on All-Ireland semi-final day.
They now have a second chance, and they have the players to capitalise and atone.
Their midfield pairing is the strongest in the country. They dovetail very well. James Ryan has a massive presence on the field and Paul Browne hurled out of his skin against Wexford. Tomorrow they are squaring up to the leading contender for Hurler of the Year – Richie Hogan. His contribution must be limited if the Shannonsiders are to have any hope.
Further forward, I am somewhat concerned that the Limerick front six have yet to click. Dowling, Hannon, O’Grady, Mulcahy and Downes are hugely talented individuals, but as a unit they must deliver.
David Breen has a phenomenal work-rate and was the forward I was most impressed with against Wexford. His aerial ability will be crucial. We know how powerful Kilkenny are in the air and Breen is Limerick’s strongest forward in that department so expect Quaid’s puckouts to rain down on the right flank of attack.
I expect Declan Hannon to line out at centre-forward, and what a battle it will be with Brian Hogan.
The big ask for Limerick is whether or not their defence can cope with the Kilkenny forwards. The Kilkenny forwards are relentless in applying pressure. They have the ability, as we have seen too often in the past, to end a game in a five minute spell.
The key for the Treaty rearguard will be to attack the ball in the air. The aerial prowess of Walter Walsh, Colin Fennelly, Michael Fennelly and Shefflin is second to none. The Limerick full-back line can’t afford to stand off. They will have to be very tight.
Kilkenny didn’t get a goal in the Leinster final and that will be a worry for Brian Cody. What team does he start? Does he start Henry? I don’t believe in holding players in reserve. They have to be on the field to make an impact. This idea of bringing in substitutions when the contest is done and dusted is nonsense. Kilkenny will get their match-ups right, Cody always does. The question is how Limerick respond.
Let’s call a spade a spade here: this is Limerick’s D-day. The maturity is there. They have the experience. They have been to Croke Park in August before. They have endured the hurt of losing an All-Ireland semi-final. They have failed to emerge from Division 2 of the league for the past two years.
The want to put an end to that streak of what ifs and maybes. They have been so close and yet have no cake. They want a performance, they crave a result. They have played in tighter games than Kilkenny this summer and that will stand to them.
I rarely go against Kilkenny when Croke Park is the venue. They have not, however, been the force of old this summer. I have not been convinced.
Limerick, fed up with moral victories and hard luck stories, won’t let this opportunity pass them. They can’t.
I believe they will come through.
Do they?
