Limerick have chance to start sowing some seeds

NO titles are won in March, well not by county teams at any rate.

So, the result between Limerick and Galway in Ballinasloe tomorrow will be considered nothing more than an irrelevance when the giddy days of summer arrive.

Sometimes, though, if you look hard enough, you just might discover some seeds from days such as this. Limerick footballers have been generating more headlines than any other team this spring. Even before they were sweeping teams aside with their superior fitness, there was the dual player issue. That six Limerick Gaels would spurn hurling in favour of football is an indication of where most GAA dreams rest in the county for the coming years. Within the first three weeks of league competition, their decision was vindicated. Three matches. Three victories. No other first Division team hold a 100% record.

Through all the early-season controversy, Liam Kearns maintained a dignified presence. For dual players to exist, all it takes is co-operation, but none seemed to be forthcoming. Given a choice between two teams, rather than two codes, most athletes will opt for the team most likely to taste success. In Limerick at the moment, that means the footballers.

And Kearns believes this is the year his team must taste success. He can still shudder at the memory of last year’s Munster final.

“Kerry didn’t beat us as much as we beat ourselves and when that happens, it can be very hard to accept. The experience has hardened the resolve of the players to get back to the Munster final.”

However, Kearns believes his side must have a trophy to show for this year. With surprising front-runners like Mayo and Sligo in Division 1, the league could be an option.

“At this stage in the development of this team, we really need to win something. We have to make the Munster championship our priority, that was the quest before any draw was made and it hasn’t changed now. The minimum requirement for this team would be the Munster title.”

Their lightning start to the league, including a trouncing of Laois, was due, in part, to the fitness level of the team. Each losing manager alluded to it in defeat, and they have made no secret of their sessions since late October and early November.

“Certainly, Laois were far behind us in the fitness stakes and possibly Cavan too. We had the upper hand against the teams so far, but I don’t think that will be the case against Galway.”

“This is a big test for us. I would put Galway among the top three or four teams over the last four or five years. They need to win this match more than us. They have only got three points and they have been here before. Certainly, it is going to be a greater test than any we had so far.”

There are signs this Limerick team are gradually becoming a championship force to be reckoned with. Their facile victory over Laois didn’t breed any complacency, or if it did, it was extinguished at half-time against Cavan. In an attritional battle, that yielded 78 frees and 14 cards, Limerick ground out a result. They can play football both ways.

Kearns thinks much of this stems from the spirit within the ranks.

“There is a very good spirit in this team, has been for the past few years. In fact, I haven’t worked with any team where there has been a better spirit or a better sense of togetherness, and I include club teams in that. It is rare you get that sort of spirit in a county team and it has stood to us in tight games.”

Limerick raced to the top of Division One with a depleted squad. Brian Begley and Conor Fitzgerald won’t be back for a few weeks, but Micheal Reidy and John Galvin are fit enough for a place on the bench next week. And Jason Stokes is also on set for a return.

Signs are that Limerick will be even more solid when the ground firms up. The fast pitches of summer will suit this young, pacey team more than the March mud of Ballinasloe.

Liam Kearns knows tomorrow is a significant phase in their development. He will learn things from his defence as they bid to curb Nicky Joyce and Derek Savage. He will discover how his midfield (without Stokes), measures up against Kevin Walsh.

A learning curve that will be useful in those days of summer where Galway might be the test again.

LIMERICK: S O’Donnell; M O’Riordan, J McCarthy, T Stack; P Browne, S Lucey,

D Reidy; J Quane, J Carroll; M O’Brien, M Gavin, C Mullane; M Horan, J Murphy, O Keating.

GALWAY: B. Donoghue, B. Dooney, K. Fitzgerald, C. Monaghan, M. Comer, D. Burke, S. Óg de Paor, K. Walsh, J. Bergin, M. Clancy, P. Joyce, J. Donnellan, D. Savage, N. Joyce, T. Joyce.