O’Grady relieved to avoid clash with native Cork

NEW Limerick hurling boss Donal O’Grady last night expressed his personal satisfaction at having avoided his native Cork in next year’s Munster championship, but warned that his side face a massive semi-final challenge against Davy Fitzgerald’s Waterford.

Limerick were drawn to face Waterford at the semi-final stage in last night’s televised draws for the 2011 provincial championships, with Cork set to face reigning All-Ireland champions Tipperary in their Munster opening for the fourth year running.

Denis Walsh will lead Cork into battle against the Premier team for the third successive quarter-final while they previously clashed in the 2008 semi-final. The match will be played in Semple Stadium as per the counties’ home-and-away arrangement with the winners facing Clare in the last four.