Focus back on Limerick club games

WITH the Limerick footballers having scaled new heights at Pairc Uí Chaoimh last Sunday, the public’s response to this week-end’s opening series of games in the domestic championship will be monitored with interest.

Monaleen, captained by Muiris Gavin and winners of the county title for the first time last season, have a date with Hospital Herbertstown at Caherconlish tonight and it will come as a major surprise if they fail to collect their first brace of points in their league section.

The South Limerick club had their moment of glory in the early 1990s, but it has more or less been downhill since then.

Another city club, Claughaun, will also be in action this evening, in Askeaton, facing up to Gerald Griffins, in only their second season in the top flight.

Veterans Leo O’Connor and Francis Brosnahan are still very much part and parcel of the Claughaun make-up and, while experience is on their side, one cannot write off Gerald Griffins, who will have county star Damien Reidy leading their charge.

In the same group, the all-west clash between newly promoted Athea and Newcastle West, at Abbeyfeale on Sunday, promises to be a rousing affair.

Adare, who have county men Stephen Lavin and Conor Fitzgerald in their squad, have a date with 1999 champions Ballylanders in Kilmallock this evening. Ballylanders only county representative is Johnny Murphy, who came on as substitute at Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

Meanwhile, Brian Begley will be hoping to guide Mungret to victory over 2000 champions Fr Casey’s, in Askeaton, on Saturday, and the 2001 winners Drom-Broadford go into action at St Kieran’s, in Newcastlewest, on Sunday. Drom are certain to be without Jason Stokes, but will have Tommy Stack in defence and Michael Reidy in their firing line.