Limerick preparing to shed their L-plates

TURNING potential into results is one of the key aims for Limerick attacker Muiris Gavin this season — and they’ll get first-hand experience of a team of achievers tomorrow in their opening Allianz League Division One tie at the Gaelic Grounds.

"Laois made a huge impression last year and after reaching the League final, they went on and won the Leinster Championship. With Mick O'Dwyer in charge, you know they won't be resting on their laurels this season either. They will be looking to build on that," says Gavin.

Promotion to the League's top table is a boost, but Gavin is aware that Limerick must continue the progress made last season, when they trounced Cork in the Championship and only went out at the qualifier stage against Armagh.

Explained the Monaleen man: "Naturally it would have been nice to have a trophy last year but 2003 is stored away in the archives now. The new season begins tomorrow and that is the only thing that concerns the players.

"Winning promotion to the top flight of the league was our primary objective in 2003 but it's vital that we stay there now. Over the years Limerick found jumping from a lower division in the league to the top grade in the championship too big.

"We've worked very hard over the last couple of years to get where we are and we have no intention of slipping down the ladder again. Tomorrow's game is a good yardstick. I think Laois are going to be there or thereabouts again this season."

The controversy surrounding the dual players is something that Limerick coach Liam Kearns is not prepared to countenance any longer. "It's a closed book as far as I'm concerned. My sole concern now is to get this year's league campaign off to a winning start tomorrow. We are in the big time after winning promotion last year and it's where we want to be. It's where this particular squad of players deserve to be. Putting yourself against the best is the only way to improve your standards, and we are in a group that contains three of the top teams in the country Meath, Galway and Armagh."

"We've now got to build on that and what better way than to beat the Leinster champions tomorrow. Judging by the team they have chosen, they coming for the win. It's a game we are looking forward to."

"Laois are just seven days back from holiday and may not be as sharp as they would wish to be. In contrast we have a lot done and winning the McGrath Cup last Sunday is a boost, all of which should give us a slight advantage," accepted Kearns.

Both managers are without a couple of first choice players because of injury with Limerick the hardest hit. Kearns is unable to call on Mike Reidy, Stephen Lavin and Conor Fitzgerald while Mick O'Dwyer doesn't have the talented Ross Munnelly and Aidan Fennelly.

The return of Martin Delaney offsets Munnelly's loss somewhat but it remains to be seen if he has recaptured the form which saw him lead the O'Moore County to minor All-Ireland honours in 1996.

Prior to going on holiday, Laois were on the wrong end of a heavy defeat by Longford in the O'Byrne Cup, and the lack of a real competitive outing since their holidays could prove a handicap.

Kearns will certainly be looking for a more ruthless show from his attackers tomorrow after the wasteful display in last Sunday's McGrath Cup final extra time victory over Clare.