Donogh, Carey and Quaid pledge to stay on

NEW Limerick senior hurling team manager Dave Keane and his selectors Dave Punch and John Meskell are delighted that the long-serving Stephen Donogh and Ciaran Carey, as well as Joe Quaid, have pledged themselves for another 12 months at least.

There had been speculation that all three might to decide to stand down to make way for new faces, but the management team were anxious that they should continue to add experience to the side in their quest for League and provincial honours. Limerick have drawn up a panel of 45 players to go into training and this will be reduced to 30 before the National League swings into action.

Meskell said for the moment they preferred to keep a low profile. Meanwhile, the decision taken by Munster Council to delay the start of the 2003 Munster U21 Football Championship from March to June has not pleased county board secretary James Hartigan. He fears the change of starting date might impact on both the domestic and Munster scenes and lead to a crowded programme, especially if Limerick were to have extended runs in the senior and U21 football competitions.