Horan hit with defensive retirements

LIMERICK football manager Maurice Horan is facing a defensive crisis ahead of the 2012 season following the retirement of two key defenders.

Former captain Tommy Stack and Shane Gallagher have both instructed Horan of their plans not to play inter-county in 2012.

Stack only came out of retirement last summer, after Limerick suffered a heavy defeat to Kerry in the Munster championship, and starred as the Shannonsiders defeated Waterford, Offaly and Wexford to reach Croke Park for the first time in the SFC.