Wallace: We have a score to settle

A SIDELINE confrontation in this season’s NHL clash between Antrim and Limerick is motivating the Shannonsiders ahead of tomorrow’s All-Ireland qualifier clash in Parnell Park in Dublin.

Limerick defeated Antrim in Loughgiel in the Division 2 game, but that result isn’t what the Shannonsiders have been talking about as they prepare for the weekend.

“One of the big memories of that game came just before half-time,” said Limerick physical trainer Jerry Wallace yesterday.

“After about half-an-hour of the game there was an incident when a member of the Antrim management came along the sideline and remonstrated with some Limerick players who were in our dugout.

“There was a confrontation involving several people which settled down fairly quickly but the matter flared up again at half-time as both teams and management were coming off the field when some Limerick players raised the matter again with the member of the Antrim management.

“Limerick players have brought that to our attention again during this last week and I think it’ll be a big motivation for them this weekend.

“I don’t think any of the players who travel to Parnell Park from Limerick this weekend will need any extra motivation after that.”

Wallace trained Antrim up to last season before joining Donal O’Grady this season with Limerick. Wallace was the Cork physical trainer when O’Grady was the Rebels’ manager in 2003-4.

With Antrim, Wallace worked with their current manager Dinny Cahill, who angered Cork players in 2004 when making disparaging comments about Brian Corcoran and Niall McCarthy ahead of the Antrim-Cork clash that season, a game Cork won convincingly.