Cunningham extols ‘different breed of hurler’

THESE are encouraging times for the hurling fans of Limerick.

Not alone is there no sign of what had become the annual Shannonside off-field crisis, on the pitch they have won two competitive games, and against two of the big boys, Waterford and Tipperary.

Coach Ger Cunningham doesn’t attempt to hide his satisfaction.

“Training is going well, there’s competition for places, guys are fighting to get off the bench. It seems to be a different breed of Limerick hurler,” he says.

“We did about six weeks before Christmas, took about three weeks off, and then started again in the first week of January. We’ve done three nights a week for the last few weeks. Friday nights have been rest nights if we have a game, but they’ve worked hard.

“A huge problem in Limerick for the last few years was that we didn’t have lights so they weren’t even hurling in the training. That was proving a huge problem in the National League. Now, the lads love coming training, because they’re actually hitting balls.

“On Monday we’re in UL, Wednesday in Rathkeale and Friday in Garryspillane. We’re hurling two out of the three nights,” he says.

With the likes of Ollie and Niall Moran, away with the All-Stars, Mark Foley, Peter Lawlor, TJ Ryan, all missing out on starting berths in Limerick’s Waterford Crystal Tournament quarter-final win over Tipperary, the signs are certainly positive.

That match was the first of three scheduled meetings with Tipp this year, with Limerick opening their league and championship challenges against their Munster rivals later in the season.

“We’d have liked to have one of the earlier games in Thurles, to get used to it,” said Cunningham (the championship match will take place there). “There will be a few closer encounters to come, in those games, but it’s good to get to know them (Tipperary) anyway.”

He says their training panel is very open. “There’s talk about all those we left off, but we couldn’t carry 40 on the panel. Those fellas are still in contention, hopefully they’ll train away themselves, but it’s still very open.”

Tipperary manager Babs Keating had fewer reasons to be cheerful this early in the season. But there was one, at least.

“It’s not so important to be hurling in January, but it is important to be able to hurl on a days like this, we’re blessed with the weather we’re getting. Don’t forget, championship hurling is a month earlier than it was when I was preparing teams in the past.

Between all the things that will happen now, the league coming, May 14 (championship meeting with Limerick) will come a lot quicker than you’d think. From that point of view you need to be up there, with a good bit done.