Limerick hurlers going all out for intermediate glory
Already beaten by the Déise in the senior final and U-21 semi-final, they get a chance to reverse those results when they play Waterford in tonight’s IHC final in Thurles.
Coach Jerry Molyneaux is confident his charges can stop the rot.
“There has been a lot of talk of doing away with this particular championship grade, but we want it to stay. A Munster hurling championship medal in any grade is always a prized possession and we are determined to put our name on the cup,” said Jerry.
“Since our victory over Tipperary a month ago, we have put in a huge effort for this final. That is not easy because of club commitments, but every player has made the necessary sacrifice.
“We have played challenge games in Cork, Tipperary and Galway and we certainly won’t be beaten for the want of preparation.
“Unlike Waterford, who can field their second senior team, we are confined to picking players from junior and intermediate clubs. But that hasn’t prevented us from putting a very good team together and, if we are to be beaten, and I’m convinced we won’t be, Waterford will have earned it.
“Limerick need this Munster title to stop the run of defeats at the hands of Waterford. We have made a few changes which, hopefully, will strengthen our challenge still further. And, if we play as well as we did against Tipperary in the semi-final, the title will be ours.”
Riding on the crest of a wave as a result of their senior and U-21 successes, Waterford see this championship as another stepping stone to greater things.
They have never won the intermediate title. This is their fifth final appearance in the grade and they’ll start favourites to finally break their duck.
