Limerick’s toss offer for venue

LIMERICK GAA chiefs contacted Croke Park last night offering to toss a coin to decide the venue for their All-Ireland SFC Qualifier against Cork.

Under GAA rules, fourth round Qualifiers are to be played at neutral venues but Shannonside officials would like the game to be played at either the Gaelic Grounds or on Leeside.

Secretary Mike O’Riordan explained: “We have a home and away arrangement for all Munster championship games with Cork but that deal doesn’t include the qualifiers. We would be happy to toss a coin rather that play the game at a neutral venue. But we will have to wait and see what Croke Park and Cork say to that request.”

Cork manager Conor Counihan has been impressed by Limerick.

“It’s obviously a very tough draw for us. They’ve had a few weeks since the Munster final to recover and will be up for it. Everyone saw how close they ran Kerry and anyone who can do that has to be a serious challenge.”

Louth, after their controversial Leinster SFC final defeat, have been handed a tie against Dublin, shell-shocked Sligo are paired with Down while Kildare meet Monaghan.

Kildare forward, Ronan Sweeney reckons that Paul Grimley’s knowledge of the Lilywhites will have no bearing on the qualifier with Monaghan. Grimley spent the last two years as a member of the Kildare management before decamping to Monaghan via another scuppered attempt at becoming manager of his native Armagh.

The Pearse Óg man will know all the personalities inside the opposition’s dressing room but Sweeney reckons that so much has changed in the past six months that it will have little or no relevance.

“There’s going to be a lot of talk in the media about that but there’s no point in us worrying about it,” said Sweeney last night. “I don’t know if we’re the same team as we were last year to be honest with you. A lot has changed since Paul was with us.”

Meanwhile Cork are sweating on a number of injury concerns ahead of next weekend’s hurling qualifier against Antrim. Sean Óg Ó hAilpin, Jerry O’Connor and Shane O’Neill (hamstring) along with Ronan Curran (dead leg) are on the treatment table and face a battle to be fit for the clash with the Ulster champions.

Times dates and venues will be announced by the Central Competitions Control Committee today.

* Round 4 Football Qualifier Draw: Louth v Dublin, Limerick v Cork, Monaghan v Kildare, Sligo v Down.

* All-Ireland Hurling quarter-finals: Tipperary v Galway, Cork v Antrim.