Replay an unexpected bonus for Limerick Board

Jim O’Sullivan

It's the result of a new home-and-away arrangement with Tipperary, covering this game and the next meeting between the counties which will be in Thurles.

An existing arrangement ended with the draw on Sunday and after a quick consultation between Munster officers and the respective county chairmen, Tipperary indicated that they were willing to play in Limerick.

With the replay fixed for 6.30pm and going out 'live' on television, the expectation is that the crowd will not reach Sunday's figure of 28,533. The understanding is that an attendance of around 25,000 would yield a 'rent' of approximately 55,000 for the Limerick Board.

Overall, the Limerick officers were delighted with the performance of their team under new manager Joe McKenna. Apart from boosting morale among players and management and supporters it had the added benefit of pleasing team sponsor J.P. McManus.

"After the saga last March, when we lost the first two League matches and Padjo Whelahan resigned, it did not look good from J.P.'s point of view, having come in as the new sponsor,'' commented County Secretary Jimmy Hartigan. "But, he is not just a sponsor, he is an out-and-out GAA man.''

The second of the Guinness hurling semi-finals, in which Clare will meet the winners of next week-end's game, is also fixed for the Gaelic Grounds (as a result of Clare agreeing to play there). And, in the event of Kerry defeating Tipperary in the opening round of the Bank of Ireland football championship (in Thurles), they will play Limerick in the semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds.