Kelly’s return a major boost for Kearns’ charges

STEPHEN KELLY has returned to the Limerick senior football squad after a three-month absence.

Kelly quit the side at the start of the year, stating he wasn’t prepared to give the commitment.

He was linked with a move to eircom League outfit Cork City and lined out for AIL side Thomond and his native Newcastle West in a number of rugby games.

However, he has had a change of heart, much to the delight of manager Liam Kearns. “Stephen is back training with us and will be a big asset.

He is likely to be part of our plans for next Sunday’s crucial game with the Lilywhites,” Kearns said.

Kearns remains confident his side won’t be relegated after securing the first points of this season’s campaign against Galway on Sunday.

“Heads were down after the crushing defeat at the hands of Wexford the previous week,” said Kearns, “and many people felt the bubble had burst on us. It was our third defeat in a row and relegation stared us in the face.

“However, those three defeats have to be put in context. We have been decimated with injuries since the start of the season with over half of the panel missing.

“I’ve been with this particular group of players for a number of years now and know their character well. They were never going to roll over and accept their fate.

“Galway had giving us a bit of a trimming in the corresponding game last year and the incentive was there for us to turn that around.

“The injury jinx hit us on the eve of the game when Muiris Gavin locked his back at home, and we were looking at another defeat.

“All credit to the lads then for the manner in which they rose above adversity and got the points. In the circumstances it was a tremendous result and may well be the kick start to the season we needed.

“Again our defence was magnificent and our midfielders also made a major contribution.

“John Quane and Jim O’Donovan won that area for us and when Quane tired, we moved John Galvin out and he helped maintain our dominance.”