Kearns relishes Limerick’s first foray in football’s top flight

THE real start of the inter-county season is just two weeks away, when the first round of the Allianz National Football League will be played and already Limerick manager Liam Kearns has concerns about how his team is going to fare.

The problem is that a combination of injuries threaten to unsettle them in the early stages, when they require a full panel of players to make an impact. They will be competing in Division One for the first time ever - opening their campaign with a game against Leinster champions Laois - and many a team has faltered as a consequence of losing in the early rounds.

Kearns points out retaining their first-division status is one of two goals. The other is obvious - to get back to another Munster final.