Limerick’s dual stars set to opt for hurlers as fixtures clash

LIMERICK dual players Stephen Lucey and Mark O’Riordan are expected to commit to the hurlers next Saturday as the county board’s request to have the game played on a separate day to the footballers’ qualifier fell on deaf ears with the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC).

A source close to the players revealed that, as much as the pair wanted to make themselves available to both Donal O’Grady and Maurice sHoran, they have been left with unenviable position of having to choose one over the other.

Limerick County Board secretary Mike O’Riordan confirmed they made representations to the CCCC about ensuring the games didn’t clash. “The CCCC made the fixtures and there is nothing we can do at this stage,” said O’Riordan.

“We made a request to have one game played Saturday and the other Sunday but with the provincial finals on the Sunday, that was always going to be difficult.”

O’Riordan understands the scheduling has caused a dilemma for Limerick supporters even though the hurlers’ qualifier against Antrim had to be played at a neutral venue. However, he says fans can still get to both games providing there is no extra-time in the football game against Offaly. “The football game is on at 2pm and the game in Dublin isn’t until 7pm. The [Shannon] tunnel is only 500 yards away from the stadium so it could be done.”

O’Riordan believes Mark and Stephen will be left to decide which team to opt for. Mark O’Riordan came on as a second-half sub against Wexford last Saturday while Lucey returned to full fitness after a number of setbacks this year.

“I would say it will be a decision agreed by all three parties with it really coming down to the boys and how they feel about it.”

Galway supporters are also put in the same position as Limerick, with their hurlers facing Cork in the Gaelic Grounds as the second part of the double-bill at 4pm just three hours before their footballers face Meath in Navan. Neither of the two hurling qualifiers, Galway-Cork and Limerick-Antrim, will be televised while TV3 will be broadcasting the second round SFC qualifier between Laois and Kildare at Portlaoise.

Meath referee Cormac Reilly has not been chosen to officiate any of the nine football games this weekend.