Fitzgerald aware of St Senan’s threat as Nemo wait on Geary

NIALL GEARY is Nemo Rangers’ only injury worry ahead of Sunday’s Munster Club SFC final against St. Senan’s, Kilkee at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

The Cork full-back injured a knee in the quarter-final against Ardfinnan and has undergone minor surgery. He is currently out of the country but is expected back this afternoon and will undergo a fitness test before the team in finalised.

“Obviously Derek Kavanagh (in Australia) is a loss but he has missed the last two games and we have adequate cover,” said coach Ephie Fitzgerald. “Naturally you would like to be at full strength for a game of this importance, but it’s an opportunity for others to show what they can do.”

“I’ve looked at their semi-final against An Gaeltacht and you have to be impressed. They are a very good football side and will be difficult to beat. However we have trained well and all the lads, particularly the younger guys who have not played at this level before, are looking forward to the challenge.

“If we play to our usual standards I would be very hopeful. This is the last game before Christmas and it would be nice to be facing into the new year as Munster champions.

“Conditions won’t be a problem for us. We played our best football this year against Bantry Blues in the Cork championship on an appalling evening in Castlehaven when we adapted very well to the driving wind and rain.

“Our form has been excellent but this is another step up for us. The hunger is still there and the panel is very strong.

“We are very fortunate to have a group of players, young and not so young, who want to win. Their discipline on and off the field is exemplary. Every players looks after himself in terms of diet and lifestyle and that brings its own rewards. It you want to be successful at this level you must make the sacrifices.

Fitzgerald is well aware of St Senan’s quality. “We must not forget they beat the current Munster Club champions in the Clare county final.

“There is no chance of us taking anything for granted against St. Senan’s. Their path to the final is laced with some very impressive results. They play a similar brand of football to our own, but we haven’t come this far to lose.”