Carey ready for epic as Limerick bid to catch Tipp

CIARÁN CAREY, never one to back away from a challenge during his playing days, hopes to get Limerick hurling back on track in tonight’s Munster U21 semi-final in Semple Stadium (7.30pm).

With the Premier County celebrating senior success and Limerick in the doldrums following their championship exit to Offaly, the Patrickswell man is expecting an epic battle in Thurles.

“This will be massive, following Tipperary’s victory over Clare in the Munster final,” said the Limerick coach.

“It’s a serious challenge for us. Tipperary are picking up off the back of successive Munster minor victories and an All-Ireland success. But we won’t be easily beaten.

“A lot of preparation has gone into this game, despite the demands of the seniors up to last Saturday. The win over Waterford in the first round was a big boost and might give us an advantage. It’s Tipp’s first outing, and the fact that they are playing at home will, hopefully, put a bit more pressure on them to deliver.

“Limerick hasn’t had too much success in this grade since the glory days of the three in a row. The minor grade hasn’t been good to us either, so it would be a boost to the game in the county, particularly after the defeat of the seniors last Saturday, if we win.”

Carey will be faced by an old playing adversary on the sideline, Tipperary coach Declan Carr

Said Carr: “We hope to build on the success of our seniors but Limerick have a game played, which is a big advantage. No matter how many good challenge games you might have in preparation, there is nothing to compare with a championship match. Our senior victory last Sunday could work in a roundabout way for Limerick. They were very disappointed at their senior failure to Offaly, and would see tonight’s game as an opportunity to redress that.

“I went down to see them against Waterford and they took care of them quite well. They had the game won long before the final whistle. I’m under no illusions about the enormity of tonight’s clash. Any team prepared by Ciarán Carey has to be respected.”

Tipp have only one of their senior team on the starting 15. Seamus Callinan will, as in Sunday’s final, lead the attack, with senior panellists Pa Bourke at right corner forward and Thomas Stapleton at centre back.

Limerick include five seniors, Seamus Hickey, Kieran O’Rourke, Gavin O’Mahony, James Ryan and Eoin Ryan.

Home advantage has to be worth a couple of points to Tipp and coupled with their weekend win, they should edge it with a few points to spare.

LIMERICK: N. Quaid; K. O’Rourke, T. Condon, P. Browne; C. King, S. Hickey, G. O’Mahony; J. Ryan, P. O’Brien; B. O’Sullivan; D. Moloney, D. Hanley; E. Ryan, R. McCarthy, G. Mulcahy.

TIPPERARY: M. Ryan; K. Maher, Padraig Maher, B. Maher; K. Lanigan, T. Stapleton, J. McLoughney; G. Ryan, S. Hennessy; T. McGrath, S. Callinan, Patrick Maher; P. Bourke, M. O’Meara, S. Bourke.